E172 — Iron oxides
E172 (Iron oxides), a color, is rated "safe": no significant concern. Mineral pigments in red, yellow, and black. Used to color olive paste, breakfast cereals, and some pet foods. Same pigment found in rust and clay.
What is Iron oxides?
Mineral pigments in red, yellow, and black. Used to color olives, decorations on baked goods, sausage casings, and some cereals. Same family of pigments found naturally in soil and clay.
What does it do to the body?
The iron is held tightly in the mineral form and barely absorbed by your gut, so it does not raise your iron intake meaningfully. No safety issues at food-level use.
What regulators say
EFSA and the FDA both approve them with a generous group acceptable daily intake.
Risk rating: Safe
Cleared by EFSA with no significant concern at typical dietary exposure. Common, well-studied, and not a reason to put a product back on the shelf.