Foods Containing E172 (Iron Oxides and Hydroxides)
E172 (Iron Oxides and Hydroxides) is mineral pigments produced synthetically, used as a food colouring to help add or restore colour to foods and drinks. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E172
E172 is used across sweets, soft drinks, desserts, ice cream, sauces and snacks. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Sweets
- Soft drinks
- Desserts
- Ice cream
- Sauces and snacks
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E172 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E172" or as "Iron Oxides and Hydroxides".
How to spot E172 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "food colourings: E172" or "food colourings: iron oxides and hydroxides". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Iron Oxides and Hydroxides" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E172?
E172 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E172.
Full guide to E172: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).