Comparing E162 - Beetroot red vs E172 - Iron oxides and iron hydroxides

Select first additive

Select second additive

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.

E172 - Iron oxides and iron hydroxides

Iron oxides and iron hydroxides (E172) are mineral pigments used to give foods red, yellow, brown, or black shades. They are insoluble, stable colors made under strict purity standards and are used mainly on the surface of foods, such as coatings and decorations. Rules vary by country: they are widely authorized in the EU, while uses in the U.S. are more limited.

Synonyms

E162

Beetroot red

betanin

E172

Iron oxides and iron hydroxides

Functions

colour

Origins

Plant

Synthetic

Mineral

Products

Found in 156 products

Found in 23 products

Search rank & volume

#318500 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#47150 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×0.48

under-aware

×0.44

under-aware

Search volume over time

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

Search history data is not available.

Popular questions

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.