As a food dye, it has been permitted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1956 to color the skin of oranges.

[1][2][3] Citrus Red 2 is listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a group 2B carcinogen, a substance "possibly carcinogenic to humans".

[4] Citrus Red 2 is an orange to yellow solid or a dark red powder with a melting point of 156 °C.

In the United States, Citrus Red 2 is sometimes used to color oranges.

[1] It is permitted when the fruit is intended to be eaten, but is not permitted when the fruit is intended or used for processing, for example to manufacture orange juice.