Ingredient Index

Is Citrus Red No. 2 banned in Europe?

Banned in EU

Yes: Citrus Red No. 2 was never authorized as a food color in the EU. In the US it was allowed only to dye the skins of mature oranges, a use industry abandoned years ago, and the FDA proposed revoking even that in July 2026.

CAS: 6358-53-8 Also seen as: Citrus Red 2, C.I. Solvent Red 80

What the EU does

Not authorized. Citrus Red No. 2 is not on the EU list of permitted food colors under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. It has no E number and no approved food use in Europe, so oranges dyed with it could not be sold on the EU market as colored that way.

The dye is also flagged in toxicology reviews as a possible carcinogen, which is part of why it never gained broad approval anywhere and stayed confined to a single cosmetic-style use on fruit skin in the US.

Citation Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (Citrus Red No. 2 not on the EU authorized color list)

What the US does

Narrow use, now being revoked. In the US, Citrus Red No. 2 was permitted only to color the skins of mature oranges that are not intended for processing, at up to 2 parts per million. It was never allowed in the flesh or juice, and the FDA notes it has not actually been certified for use since 2020. On July 23, 2026, the FDA proposed to revoke the listing as an abandoned, outdated authorization; the public comment window closed on August 24, 2026, and a final rule is now pending.

So the answer runs two ways: the dye was never legal in the EU, and in its only market, the US, its narrow orange-skin approval is on its way out. Either way, it is not something you will find coloring the food itself.

Citation FDA proposed revocation of Citrus Red No. 2 listing (Federal Register / docket FDA-2026-N-6304, July 2026); 21 CFR 74.302

Products that commonly contain it

Where it appeared at all, Citrus Red No. 2 was strictly a skin dye:

The skins of some US-grown mature oranges (not the flesh or juice)

What to look for on a label

This one is nearly a museum piece, but for the record:

It was only ever on orange peel, never in juice or segments
Signage on dyed oranges historically noted "color added"
Its US listing is now proposed for revocation, and it has not been certified since 2020

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Frequently asked questions

Is Citrus Red 2 banned in Europe?

Yes, in effect. It was never authorized as a food color in the EU and has no approved food use there.

Is Citrus Red 2 legal in the US?

Only barely. It was allowed solely to dye the skins of mature oranges, has not been certified since 2020, and the FDA proposed revoking the listing in July 2026; the comment period closed on August 24, 2026.

Was it ever in orange juice?

No. The US approval covered only the outer skin of whole oranges, never the flesh or juice.

Related ingredients

Primary sources

Last reviewed August 25, 2026 · How we assign statuses