Baby Safety / Compounds / Green S (Lissamine Green B; E142)

Is Green S (Lissamine Green B; E142) safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Green S (Lissamine Green B; E142) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What is green s (lissamine green b; e142)?

The IUPAC name is sodium 4-[[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-(4-dimethylazaniumylidenecyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene)methyl]-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonate.

Also known as: sodium 4-[[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-(4-dimethylazaniumylidenecyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene)methyl]-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonate, Acid green 50, Green S, Lissamine Green B.

IUPAC name
sodium 4-[[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-(4-dimethylazaniumylidenecyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene)methyl]-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonate
CAS number
3087-16-9
Molecular formula
C27H25N2NaO7S2
Molecular weight
576.6 g/mol
SMILES
CN(C)C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=C2C=CC(=[N+](C)C)C=C2)C3=C4C=CC(=CC4=CC(=C3O)S(=O)(=O)[O-])S(=O)(=O)[O-].[Na+]
PubChem CID
91525

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Green S (Lissamine Green B; E142) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Green S (Lissamine Green B; E142), potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Green S (Lissamine Green B; E142). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IARC2015Not evaluated by IARC for carcinogenicity — Green S (E142; CAS 3087-16-9; Lissamine Green B; Acid Green 50; trisodium 3-[4-({4-[bis(4-sulfonatophenyl)methylene]cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene}(2-sulfonatophenyl)methyl)anilino]-4-methylbenzenesulfonate — a triphenylmethane trisulfonate food dye) is permitted in the EU (E142; EFSA ADI 5 mg/kg/day, 2015) and several countries but is NOT permitted as a food color additive in the United States (FDA has not certified it under 21 CFR Part 74), Canada, Japan, or Australia; Green S was not included in the Southampton 2007 hyperactivity study and is not subject to the EU mandatory hyperactivity warning label; no recognized carcinogenicity classification exists; its EU use is restricted primarily to mint-flavored confectionery products, mushy peas, and mint sauce
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 3 positive / 8 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 3 positive / 8 negative reports)

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter green s (lissamine green b; e142)

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Green S (Lissamine Green B; E142):

  • Natural dyes (indigo, madder, weld) where applicable
    Trade-offs: Lower colorfastness. Limited palette. Higher cost per unit.
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
  • Reactive dyes with lower aquatic toxicity
    Trade-offs: Not suitable for all fiber types
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is green s (lissamine green b; e142) safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Green S (Lissamine Green B; E142) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What products contain green s (lissamine green b; e142)?

Green S (Lissamine Green B; E142) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to green s (lissamine green b; e142)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Why do regulators disagree about green s (lissamine green b; e142)?

Green S (Lissamine Green B; E142) has been classified by 3 agencies including IARC, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.

See Green S (Lissamine Green B; E142) in the baby app

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Sources (1)
  1. Green S E142 CAS 3087-16-9 Lissamine Green B Acid Green 50 CI Food Green 4 Trisodium Triphenylmethane Trisulfonate; EFSA 2015 ADI 5 mg/kg/day NOAEL 500 mg/kg/day Rat 90-day Safety Factor 100 EFSA Journal 2015;13(10):4246; EU Mean Intake 0.1 mg/kg/day Well Below ADI; EU Permitted Mushy Peas 100mg/kg Mint Jelly Mint Sauce Confectionery; Not Permitted US FDA Canada Japan Australia; NOT Southampton 2007 No Hyperactivity Warning Label; Poor GI Absorption <5% Trisulfonate; Not Azo Dye No Azo Reductase; UK Mushy Peas Fish Chips Traditional British; Ophthalmology Vital Stain Ocular Surface Disease Corneal Conjunctival Epithelium; Spirulina E140 Chlorophyllin Natural Alternative Reformulation (2015) — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →