Green S

Identifiers

INS No. 142
E 142
CAS No. 3087-16-9
CI Food Green 4
Food Green S

Physical Description

Green S is a triarylmethane dye that occurs as dark blue or dark green powder or granules. It is principally the sodium salt of N-[4-[[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl](2- hydroxy-3,6-disulfo-1-naphthalenyl)-methylene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1- ylidene]-N-methylmethanaminium and subsidiary coloring matters together with sodium chloride and/or sodium sulfate as the principal uncolored compounds. Green S may be converted to the corresponding aluminum lake.

Common Uses

Typical applications include beverages, confectionery, bakery, dairy fats and oil, meat, seafood, snacks, dry mixes and seasonings, fruit preparation, and convenient foods.

Specifications

JECFA

EU Commission

Regulatory Approval

JECFA: No ADI allocated (18th meeting, 1974)

EU: ADI of 0-5 mg/kg body weight (EFSA, 2010). Authorized uses and maximum use levels have been defined in Directive 94/36/EC on colors for use in foodstuffs.

Safety Reviews

Toxicological evaluation of some food colors, thickening agents, and certain other substances (18th Report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) WHO Food Additives Series No. 6, 1974. Available online

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Green S (E 142) as a food additive. EFSA Journal 2010;8(11):1851. [32 pp.]. Available online