Green S (E142)
- Food Fine
- Cosmetics Fine
What is Green S (E142)?
Green S (E142) is an artificial green food colouring used in sweets, desserts and some canned vegetables. Normal amounts stay well below safe limits, and problems in animals appeared only at doses far higher than people eat. It's fine at normal amounts.
What does Green S do in cosmetics?
In cosmetics, Green S adds green colour to products such as soaps and shampoos. No health concern has been shown at the low amounts in finished products. It's fine for normal use; only the concentrated raw powder can irritate eyes or skin.
What is Yasno’s verdict on Green S?
Yasno’s verdict on Green S: In food: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts. In cosmetics: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts.
Is Green S allowed in the EU?
EU status of Green S: In food: Permitted as a food additive. In cosmetics: Permitted as a colourant in cosmetics (Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009). Conditions and limits come from the regulation cited below. Yasno summarises them and does not replace the legal text.
| Where | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Permitted as a food additive | Not recorded |
| Cosmetics | Permitted as a colourant in cosmetics (Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009) | Not recorded |
What else is it called?
- Acid green 50
- Lissamine Green B
- Food Green S
- Lissamine Green BN
Sources
- EU Food Additives Register — POL-FAD-IMPORT-3001, European Commission (DG SANTE), 2012
- Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Green S (E 142) as a food additive, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2010
- Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Green S (E 142) as a food additive, European Food Safety Authority, 2010
Always check the physical label. Yasno describes evidence and regulatory status. It never says a product is free of an allergen or safe for you, and it is not medical advice.
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