# FD&C Violet No. 1

> Source URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/fd-c-violet-no-1-delisted
> Markdown URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/fd-c-violet-no-1-delisted.md

**Safety rating:** AVOID
**CAS number:** 1694-09-3
**Category:** other
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

FD&C Violet No. 1 is a synthetic colorant that was delisted from FDA approval and is no longer permitted in food products. It was historically used as a food dye before being removed from the approved color additives list.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | banned |
| Canada | banned |
| Australia | banned |
| Japan | not_evaluated |
| South Korea | not_evaluated |
| Brazil | not_evaluated |
| China | not_evaluated |
| India | not_evaluated |

## Detailed analysis

## What is FD&C Violet No. 1?

FD&C Violet No. 1 (also known as Violet No. 1 or CI 42640) is a synthetic organic colorant that was previously approved by the FDA as a food additive. The chemical compound, with CAS number 1694-09-3, belongs to the class of triphenylmethane dyes. It was developed for use as a food colorant to impart violet or purple hues to various food products.

## Common Uses

Historically, FD&C Violet No. 1 was used in a limited range of food applications where violet or purple coloring was desired. Its specific food uses were restricted compared to more widely adopted colorants, and it was not extensively utilized across the food industry. The exact products that contained this colorant were limited, and its use was generally confined to specialty items.

## Safety Assessment

FD&C Violet No. 1 was delisted from the FDA's approved color additives list, meaning it is no longer permitted for use in food products in the United States. The delisting decision reflected regulatory determinations regarding the additive's safety profile and suitability for continued approval. According to FDA records, there were zero reported adverse events associated with this colorant and zero recalls linked to its use, suggesting no acute public health incidents occurred from its historical use.

The absence of adverse event reports does not necessarily indicate comprehensive safety data, but rather reflects the limited scale of exposure and use before delisting. Like many color additives evaluated under historical FDA standards, FD&C Violet No. 1 underwent assessment based on the toxicological data and regulatory frameworks available at the time of its approval.

## Regulatory Status

FD&C Violet No. 1 is no longer approved for use in food in the United States. The delisting means manufacturers cannot legally add this colorant to food products sold domestically. This regulatory status distinguishes it from approved colorants like FD&C Red No. 40 or FD&C Yellow No. 5, which maintain current FDA approval and are subject to ongoing monitoring.

The delisting of this colorant reflects evolving regulatory standards and the FDA's continuous re-evaluation of food additives. Color additives are subject to rigorous review processes, and the FDA maintains the authority to revoke approvals if safety concerns emerge or if scientific evidence warrants reconsideration.

## Key Studies

Comprehensive published studies specifically evaluating FD&C Violet No. 1's safety profile are limited in the public domain. The regulatory decision to delist this colorant would have been based on FDA's internal safety assessments and scientific review of available data at the time of delisting. The specific scientific rationale for the delisting decision is not widely detailed in readily available literature.

For researchers or regulatory professionals seeking detailed information about the delisting rationale, FDA's Color Additives Status List and associated technical documentation would provide authoritative regulatory context, though the original safety assessment data may have varying levels of public accessibility depending on when the delisting occurred and information disclosure policies in effect at that time.

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "FD&C Violet No. 1 — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/fd-c-violet-no-1-delisted. Accessed 2026-05-19.