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FD&C Green No. 3

FD&C Green No. 3 suppliers and sourcing guide

FD&C Green No. 3 (Fast Green FCF) is a synthetic, water-soluble sea-green triarylmethane dye, principally a disodium salt made by condensing a hydroxy formylbenzenesulfonic acid with ethylbenzylaniline sulfonic acids and oxidizing the result. Every batch must be certified by FDA before sale. It is the least used of the FD&C food dyes, and is sold as straight dye powder and liquid solutions for confectionery, beverages and some drugs and cosmetics.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Category
Colors
Also known as
Fast Green FCF · Green 3 · CI 42053
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of fd&c green no. 3

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Straight color powder

    Spray-dried or granular FD&C Green No. 3 with a stated total (pure) dye content, dissolved in water or syrup before use.

  • Granular or dust-reduced

    Agglomerated grades that make less airborne dust in the weigh room and dissolve without clumping.

  • Liquid solution

    Ready-to-dose water or glycol solutions at a stated dye percentage, often preserved, for beverage and syrup plants.

  • Aluminum lake

    The dye laked onto alumina so it disperses rather than dissolves, used in tablet coatings, fat-based coatings and dry mixes.

  • Blends

    Pre-mixed shades combining several certified colors, each of which must come from a certified batch.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

FDA certification lot number
Every batch of FD&C Green No. 3 must carry an FDA certification lot number; check that the number on the COA and the drum match.
Total color (pure dye)
Total color content, by spectrophotometry or titration, against the minimum in the 21 CFR part 74 specification; it sets how much dye each kilogram delivers.
Volatile matter, chlorides and sulfates
Sum of moisture (loss at 135 °C) and salts, which make up most of the non-dye portion of a straight color.
Subsidiary colors and intermediates
Subsidiary colors and unreacted intermediates by HPLC, each against its regulatory limit.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic and mercury by ICP-MS, reported against the limits in the color additive regulation and the supplier specification.
Water-insoluble matter
Insoluble residue after dissolving, which shows up as specks or haze in clear beverages.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store in the original sealed containers in a cool, dry place away from light; powders are hygroscopic and cake in humid rooms, and dust should be controlled because small amounts stain other products. Shelf life is set by the supplier, and certified colors are generally retested for total color and appearance once past the supplier retest date. Keep each container's FDA certification lot number with the stock so it can be traced into finished batches.

Lots and expiry dates

Record the FDA certification lot number and the actual total color of each lot of FD&C Green No. 3, and adjust dosing when the dye content differs from the previous lot. Compare shade against a retained standard in the finished product, since small subsidiary-color differences can shift hue.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

FD&C Green No. 3 suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking fd&c green no. 3 suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of fd&c green no. 3 can brands buy?

Common forms include straight color powder, granular or dust-reduced, liquid solution, aluminum lake and blends. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for fd&c green no. 3 include?

Expect fDA certification lot number, total color (pure dye), volatile matter, chlorides and sulfates, subsidiary colors and intermediates, heavy metals and water-insoluble matter, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should fd&c green no. 3 be stored?

Store in the original sealed containers in a cool, dry place away from light; powders are hygroscopic and cake in humid rooms, and dust should be controlled because small amounts stain other products. Shelf life is set by the supplier, and certified colors are generally retested for total color and appearance once past the supplier retest date. Keep each container's FDA certification lot number with the stock so it can be traced into finished batches.

What is the regulatory status of fd&c green no. 3?

21 CFR 74.203 lists FD&C Green No. 3 for coloring foods, including dietary supplements, generally at current good manufacturing practice levels. 21 CFR 74.203 requires every batch of FD&C Green No. 3 to be certified by FDA. FDA's April 22, 2025 news release lists FD&C Green No. 3 among six synthetic dyes FDA is working with industry to eliminate from the food supply by the end of the following year. Health Canada's List of Permitted Colouring Agents includes Fast Green FCF (item F.1).

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