Citrus Red 2
Health Secretary Kennedy Jr. has indicated that he will review the synthetic colorings authorized by the FDA. Citrus Red 2 is not among the colorings cited.
Citrus Red 2 (CR2) is a coloring agent authorized by the FDA for use exclusively on orange peel at a maximum dose of 2 ppm.
This coloring is not authorized in the EU.
CR2 is a synthetic azo dye used to color orange peel and modify its appearance for consumers who associate the color of the fruit's peel with its degree of ripeness.
JECFA has not been able to establish an ADI for CR2 and recommends against using this substance as a food additive.
IARC has classified this substance in Group 2B due to its carcinogenic activity in rats and mice.
In the EU, the use of this dye could be classified as food fraud, as is already the case with the use of carbon monoxide in tuna.
Should the FDA review this dye?
Plenty of toxic things are 'natural.'
Somehow a large segment of the population is less afraid of natural things we know are toxic than synthetic things they don't understand the properties of. This is one of the main reasons I backed out of biotech, putting up with some mind bending ignorance and paranoia.
Modifying a product to make it look fresher than it is is illegal in the USA. So coloring an orange peel even with 'natural' dyes is illegal. Similar red plastic wrap can't be used to wrap hamburger, etc.
The USA as does any other country has the right to review any item. Reputable science should then be used to determine the safety of the product.
Like G M said - some of the most deadliest chemicals on earth are natural. So natural doesn't mean safe as many people think.
I think citrus red 2 is a FDA legal dye today.
What is Citrus Red 2? A Look at This Food Dye and Potential Health Issues