Color

Citrus Red 2

Limited concern · Limited evidence

A possible carcinogen in animal studies; the US permits it only on orange peels.

Worth knowing; no urgent action implied.

Reviewed Oct 2, 2026

Evidence and sources

IARC classifies Citrus Red 2 as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) after it caused bladder tumors in rodents. FDA permits it only to color the skins of oranges not used for processing, at low levels.

It's used on the peel, not the fruit inside. The amount isn't declared.

Limited evidence · Presence only; amount unknown · General population

IARC Monographs Volume 8: Citrus Red No. 2 (summary and evaluation), International Agency for Research on Cancer
21 CFR 74.302 — Citrus Red No. 2 (color additive listing; orange skins only), U.S. Food and Drug Administration