E121 · Colours

Citrus Red 2

Moderate risk

A synthetic dye used only on the skin of oranges in some countries, never in the fruit itself. Not permitted in the EU.

Category: Colours
Vegan: Yes
Vegetarian: Yes

What it is

Citrus Red 2 is a synthetic azo dye used in the United States to colour the skin of oranges — never the flesh.

How it is used in food

None nutritionally — it makes ripe oranges look more uniformly orange.

Commonly found in

Skin of US oranges not intended for processing

Health and safety

Caused tumours in animal studies, which is why IARC lists it as possibly carcinogenic to humans. There is no human data, and it is only ever applied to peel rather than to food that is eaten.

IARC evaluated it in Volume 8 (1975) and placed it in Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans, on the strength of animal evidence alone.

Regulatory status

Region	Status	Notes
Australia & New Zealand FSANZ	Permitted	Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code.
European Union EFSA / European Commission	Not approved	Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II).
United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration)	Permitted	Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives).

Identification on labels

E-number: E121

Also printed asCitrus Red No. 2

Worth knowing

The United States still allows it on orange skins at very low levels; the EU does not allow it at all.

Conclusion

A carcinogenic dye used strictly for fruit peels in some regions. Avoid.

References

IARC Monographs Vol. 8 — Some Aromatic Azo Compounds (1975)

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Entry last reviewed 2026-08-04.

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