Amaranth
Other names E123, FD&C Red No. 2
Amaranth: high in salicylate; moderate in histamine; low in nickel. If you're sensitive to any of these, check it against your profile before eating.
Intolerances
- SalicylateHigh
The azo dye of that name, not the grain — a dark red colour, and one of the synthetic dyes that cross-react in salicylate intolerance.
Sources· 1
- Baenkler H-W., Dtsch Arztebl Int 105:8 (2008) 137-142, salicylate intolerance - mechanism, clinical spectrum, diagnosis and treatment
- Histamine (+liberators / DAO inhibitors)Moderate
Amaranth (E123) is the dye of that name, not the grain - two entirely different things sharing a word. It has been banned in the United States since 1976 and survives in the EU for a very short list of uses, aperitif wines and fish roe among them, so most people never meet it. Where it does appear, it is grouped with the liberator colours. The Swiss list rates it 2 of 3 and marks it L, its letter for liberators of mast cell mediators — a presumed reason rather than a measurement.
Sources· 4
- Zuberbier et al., EAACI/GA2LEN urticaria guideline
- EFSA re-evaluations of food colours (2009-2016)
- U.S. FDA colour additive status list, for the 1976 delisting of FD&C Red No. 2
- SIGHI — Swiss Interest Group Histamine Intolerance, food-compatibility list (2024-08-29), for the L classification and the compatibility rating
- NickelLow
Amaranth is a synthetic azo dye built from naphthalene sulfonic acids - no plant or ore fraction goes into it. For this additive there is no legal nickel ceiling at all.
Sources· 1
- Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, purity criteria for food additives
- TyramineNone
- SucroseNone
- FODMAPsNone
- LactoseFODMAPsNone
- OligosaccharidesFODMAPsNone
- SorbitolFODMAPsNone
- FructoseFODMAPsNone
- OxalatesNone
- GlutenNo
Intolerance levels are based on our documented scientific sources. See sources →
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Frequently asked questions
Which intolerances does amaranth affect?
Amaranth is notable for salicylate, histamine and nickel. Clear on tyramine, sucrose, FODMAPs, lactose, oligosaccharides, sorbitol, fructose, oxalates and gluten.
Does amaranth contain salicylate?
Yes — amaranth is high in salicylate. The azo dye of that name, not the grain — a dark red colour, and one of the synthetic dyes that cross-react in salicylate intolerance.
Does amaranth contain histamine?
Amaranth contains moderate levels of histamine. Amaranth (E123) is the dye of that name, not the grain - two entirely different things sharing a word. It has been banned in the United States since 1976 and survives in the EU for a very short list of uses, aperitif wines and fish roe among them, so most people never meet it. Where it does appear, it is grouped with the liberator colours. The Swiss list rates it 2 of 3 and marks it L, its letter for liberators of mast cell mediators — a presumed reason rather than a measurement.
Does amaranth contain nickel?
Amaranth contains only low levels of nickel. Amaranth is a synthetic azo dye built from naphthalene sulfonic acids - no plant or ore fraction goes into it. For this additive there is no legal nickel ceiling at all. Amounts vary by brand and recipe, so always check the label of the exact product.
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