Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)

What is it?

FDA has regulatory oversight for color additives used in foods, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices. FD&C Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine, is a synthetic dye with a cherry-pink stain. In foods it is used to dye cake decorating gel, candies and popsicles, among other food items. Red #40 (Allura Red), is an azo dye, but it is often used in place of Red Dye #3 and can still be found in use in the food industry. Red Dye #3 is also used as color additive for ingested drugs. It is not listed as approved for use in cosmetics.^[1][2]