FD & C Colours

FD & C colours allowed to be used in food, drugs and cosmetic products subject to US FDA regulations

Drugs are substances that change a person's mental or physical state. They can affect the way your brain works, how you feel and behave, your understanding and your senses. This makes them unpredictable and dangerous, especially for young people. The effects of drugs are different for each person and drug.

The word cosmetic has to do with beauty and appearance. Cosmetic surgery makes someone look better, but isn't necessary medically, like heart surgery. A cosmetic change to a building only changes the building's appearance. Cosmetic often means the same as decorative or ornamental.

FD & C colours Common Name Colour
FD & C Yellow 5 Tartrazine Lemon yellow
FD & C Yellow 6 Sunset Yellow Orange
FD & C Blue 1 Brilliant Blue FCF Bright Blue
FD & C Blue 2 Indigo carmine Royal Blue
FD & C Red 3 Erythrosine cherry Red
FD & C Red 40 Allura Red Orange red