colour INS 142

Green S E142

synthetic — Primarily synthetic.

🇪🇺 EU: Approved

🇺🇸 USA: Banned

🇯🇵 Japan: Banned

🇦🇺 AU/NZ: Approved

🇨🇦 Canada: Banned

Scientific Name

Sodium salt of N-[4-[[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl](2-hydroxy-3,6-disulfo-1-naphthalenyl)methylene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene]-N-methylmethanaminium

CAS: 3087-16-9

Data verified: 2026-04-04

Factual Regulatory Reference

This database provides factual regulatory information compiled from official government sources. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or safety advice. Regulatory status varies by country and is subject to change. Always refer to your local regulatory authority for the most current information.

? Did You Know?

Beyond food, Green S is also used in cosmetics, industrial applications. Its versatility makes it one of the most multi-purpose chemical compounds in everyday life.

Regulatory opinions differ: Green S is approved in EU but banned in USA, JAPAN, CANADA. This reflects different risk assessment philosophies between regions.

To reach the Acceptable Daily Intake limit, a 60kg adult would need to consume approximately ~30 servings of canned peas (100g at 100mg/kg) in a single day. (This is a mathematical illustration, not a safety recommendation.)

Regulatory Analysis

Green S epitomizes the regulatory paradox of how 'insufficient evidence' can justify diametrically opposite outcomes. The EU approved E142 with an ADI of 5 mg/kg despite EFSA explicitly noting inadequate chronic toxicity data, while the USA, Japan, and Canada banned it precisely because the safety database was too thin to establish confidence. This case reveals a core philosophical divide: whether the burden of proof should fall on demonstrating harm (EU approach) or demonstrating safety (precautionary bans), with JECFA's refusal to establish any ADI underscoring how the same data gap was read differently by every major regulatory body.

Detailed Regulatory Assessment

🇪🇺

European Union (EFSA)

approved Max: 100 mg/kg in canned vegetables and confectionery mg/kg

Limited uses; permitted in specific food categories only

Official EFSA Link

🇺🇸

United States (FDA)

banned Not authorized

Never authorized for use in food, drugs, or cosmetics

🇯🇵

Japan (MHLW)

banned

Not approved for food use in Japan

Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)

International Standard (JECFA)

not established (limited evaluation)

mg/kg body weight per day

European Standard (EFSA)

5 mg/kg bw/day

Everyday Perspective

For a 60kg adult, this limit is roughly equivalent to consuming:

~30 of servings of canned peas (100g at 100mg/kg)

~10mg per serving

~200 of tablespoons of mint sauce (15g at 100mg/kg)

~1.5mg per serving

Natural Occurrence

This additive is not known to occur naturally in significant quantities.

Manufacturing

Method: chemical synthesis via sulfonation

Synthesized through sulfonation of aromatic amine intermediates derived from petroleum-based chemicals. The reaction produces a synthetic triarylmethane dye that appears as dark blue/dark green powder and yields bright green colour when dissolved in water or other solvents.

Applications Beyond Food

Cosmetics

Limited use in some jurisdictions

Industrial

Textile dyeing (historical use)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Green S (E142)?

Green S (E142) is a colour used in food products. It is synthetic and synthetic. A completely synthetic triarylmethane dye manufactured from petroleum-derived chemicals through sulfonation of aromatic amine intermediates. Not found in nature. Produces bright green colour in solution. One of the most controversial green food dyes - banned in more countries than it is approved in.

Is Green S banned in any country?

Green S is banned in USA, Japan, Canada. Regulatory status varies by country. Always check with your local food regulatory authority for current information.

What is the ADI for Green S?

The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for Green S is not established (limited evaluation) as established by JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). ADI represents the amount that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk.

What foods contain Green S?

Green S is used in various food categories including Vegetables in vinegar, oil, brine, or soybean sauce, Other confectionery. It is used as a colour in these products.

Is Green S the same as Acid Brilliant Green BS?

Yes, Green S is also known as Acid Brilliant Green BS, Food Green 4, Lissamine Green, CI 44090, Acid Green 50. These are different names for the same substance.