E172Under monitoring
Iron Oxides and Hydroxides
Function: Mineral Pigment
E172 is the European food-additive number for Iron Oxides and Hydroxides. Iron Oxides and Hydroxides (E172) is a colour used as a food additive.
Is E172 safe or restricted?
E172 is approved for use in the EU. It sits among the additives EFSA keeps under ongoing review as new evidence is published. Forkin classifies it as “Under monitoring” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned.
Frequently asked questions about E172
- What is E172?
- E172 is the E-number for Iron Oxides and Hydroxides. Iron Oxides and Hydroxides (E172) is a colour used as a food additive.
- Is E172 vegan or vegetarian?
- It depends on the source. Many additives can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which was used. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product where it's known, instead of a blanket guess.
- Is E172 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E172 is approved for use in the EU. It sits among the additives EFSA keeps under ongoing review as new evidence is published. Forkin classifies it as "Under monitoring" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E172 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.