FD & C dyes

Description

An acronym for Food, Drug and Cosmetic dyes. This classification for synthetic dyes is given by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A D & C dyes can be used in drugs and cosmetics while a FD & C dyes can be used in food, drugs and cosmetics. This designation certifies the dye does not contain toxic amounts of heavy metals. Examples are:

D&C Red No. 21 = eosin,

D&C blue No. 6 = indigo, and

FD&C Red No. 2 = amaranth.

Authority

• Thomas Gregory, The Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Reinhold Publishing, New York, 3rd ed., 1942