Comparing E162 - Beetroot red vs E122 - Azorubine

Overview

E162 - Beetroot red

Beetroot red (E162) is a natural red-to-pink food color made from red beets. Its main coloring pigment is betanin, which gives foods a vivid berry-like hue without using synthetic dyes. It is widely used in drinks, dairy, and confections, especially where a “natural color” label is preferred.

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E122 - Azorubine

Azorubine (E122), also called carmoisine, is a bright red synthetic color used to make foods look red, pink, or purple. It is allowed in the European Union but is not approved for use in foods in the United States.

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Synonyms
E162
Beetroot red
betanin
E122
Azorubine
carmoisine
Food Red 3
Brillantcarmoisin O
Acid Red 14
Azorubin S
C.I. 14720
Functions
colour
colour
Origins
Plant
Synthetic
Products

Found in 156 products

Found in 8 products

Search rank & volume
#318500 / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#331420 / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×0.48
under-aware

×5.11
over-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 8 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

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Popular questions

  1. Does beetroot make your poop red?

    Yes—beetroot contains betanin (E162), a natural red pigment that can pass through the gut and temporarily turn stool red or pink; it's harmless.

  2. Does beetroot make you poop red?

    Yes, the betanin (E162) in beetroot can color stools red for a short time after eating it, which can be mistaken for blood.

  3. Can beetroot make poop red?

    Yes; the beet pigment betanin (E162) often survives digestion and can make poop appear red, especially with larger amounts or fast transit.

  4. What is beetroot red soup?

    A beet-based soup (often called borscht) whose vivid color comes from beet pigments like betanin (E162); it’s a dish, not an additive.

  5. Can beetroot cause red urine?

    Yes—some people excrete beetroot’s betanin (E162) in urine, causing pink or red discoloration (beeturia); it’s temporary and harmless.

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  1. What food has red dye 3?

    In countries where azorubine (E122, also called carmoisine) is allowed, it’s used in sweets and gummies, cakes and biscuits, dessert mixes/puddings, jams/jellies, syrups and flavored drinks, and in heat-treated fruit preparations for yogurts. It isn’t permitted in U.S. foods, and in the U.S. “Red Dye 3” usually refers to erythrosine (E127), a different additive.

  2. What food is red dye 3 in?

    Where permitted (e.g., EU/UK), azorubine (E122/carmoisine) appears in confectionery, baked goods, dessert mixes/puddings, jams/jellies, syrups, soft drinks, and heat-treated fruit preparations for yogurts. It’s not allowed in U.S. foods; in the U.S., “Red Dye 3” typically means erythrosine (E127), which is different.

  3. What food contains red dye 3?

    In regions that allow it, azorubine (E122/carmoisine) is used in candies, cakes/biscuits, dessert mixes and puddings, jams/jellies, syrups and flavored drinks, and heat-treated fruit preparations for yogurts. It’s not permitted in the U.S., where “Red Dye 3” commonly refers to erythrosine (E127), a separate colorant.

  4. What food have red dye 3?

    Foods that may contain azorubine (E122/carmoisine) where allowed include confectionery, baked goods, dessert mixes/puddings, jams/jellies, syrups, soft drinks, and heat-treated fruit preparations for yogurts. It isn’t approved in the U.S.; U.S. “Red Dye 3” generally means erythrosine (E127), which is different.

  5. What food has red 3?

    If you mean azorubine (E122/carmoisine), it’s used in sweets, cakes, dessert mixes/puddings, jams/jellies, syrups and flavored drinks, and heat-treated fruit preparations for yogurts in countries where it’s permitted. It’s not allowed in U.S. foods, and in the U.S. “Red 3” typically refers to erythrosine (E127), a different dye.

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