Digestoa
Additive · Colour

Iron oxides (E172)

Iron oxides (E172) is a colour that Digestoa rates as low concern — it's considered safe at the levels used in food.

Digestoa riskLow risk
TypeColour
Found inbrightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts

What is Iron oxides?

Iron oxides (E172) is a colour — added to give food a specific colour.

Is Iron oxides bad for you?

Iron oxides is permitted in food and Digestoa rates it as low concern. There's no strong evidence it causes harm at the levels typically used in food.

What foods contain Iron oxides?

Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.

Digestoa's take

You don't need to avoid Iron oxides. It's one of the more benign things on an ingredients list — worth knowing, not worth worrying about.

Safer swaps

Choose products coloured with natural extracts like beetroot (E162), paprika (E160c) or turmeric (E100).

Frequently asked questions

Is E172 the same as Iron oxides?
Yes — E172 is the international additive (E-number) code for Iron oxides.
Is Iron oxides bad for you?
Digestoa rates Iron oxides (E172) as low concern. It's permitted in food and considered safe at normal dietary levels.
What are the side effects of Iron oxides?
No significant side effects are associated with Iron oxides at the levels used in food.
What foods contain Iron oxides?
Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.
How can I avoid Iron oxides?
Check the ingredients list for "Iron oxides" or "E172", or scan the product with Digestoa to see if it's present before you buy.

Related colour additives

Titanium dioxide (E171)Tartrazine (E102)Quinoline Yellow (E104)Sunset Yellow FCF (E110)Azorubine / Carmoisine (E122)Ponceau 4R (E124)

Risk ratings reflect Digestoa's editorial assessment synthesising EFSA/IARC opinions and peer-reviewed research. Informational only — not medical advice.