Artificial red dyes are primarily derived from coal or petroleum byproducts. Examples include Red No. 2 and Red No. 40, which are synthetic dyes commonly used in food and beverages. While some natural red dyes exist, like cochineal (derived from insects), most commercially available artificial red dyes originate from petrochemical sources.
Types of Artificial Red Dyes and Their Sources
- Red No. 40 (Allura Red AC): This is a naphthalene sulfonic acid, a synthetic chemical derived from petroleum. It's one of the most widely used artificial red dyes. [Source: WebMD, Healthline]
- Red No. 2: Also a synthetic dye originating from either coal or petroleum byproducts. [Source: Livescience]
- Erythrosine (FD&C Red No. 3): Another synthetic dye made from petroleum, used in foods and drinks, though banned in cosmetics in some regions. [Source: Consumer Reports]
Many artificial food dyes are petroleum-based chemicals that are not naturally occurring. [Source: Center for Science in the Public Interest]
A Note on Cochineal
While cochineal is a natural red dye made from insects, it's important to distinguish it from the synthetic red dyes discussed above. The increasing demand for natural food coloring has led to a renewed interest in cochineal. [Source: Wikipedia, Smithsonian Magazine]
The development of synthetic dyes in the mid-1800s decreased the reliance on natural dyes like cochineal for textiles and art, but their use persists in certain food products and cosmetics. [Source: Smithsonian Magazine]
