Erythrosine (FD&C Red No.3, di sodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetra-iodofluorescein); is used extensively as a colour additive in foods, drugs and cosmetics. Previous studies have shown that some of the food additives, depending on their long-term and short-term use, have potential carcinogenic, toxic and teratogenic effects. In Turkey this colourant has temporary permission of use until studies are completed about it. In addition food colours may cause allergic reactioins due to food intolerance. In our study 17 pregnant rats are divided into two groups: control and erythrosine group. 7 Wistar albino rats were administered 5 ml erythrosine (2mg/ml) by gavage at 7-8-9-10-11 th days of their pregnancy. 10 rats in positive control group are given distilled water by gavage. At 20 th day of pregnancy, pregnant rats in both groups sacrificed by cervical dislocation and laparotomy applied. Each live fetus was promptly weighed and examined for congenital anomalies and the crown-rump lenght was measured. Routine fetal histologic studies and light microscopic examination of the sections stained with H&E was applied. Mast cells are examined in the fetal dermal sections stained with Toluidine Blue. In erythrosine group, there were no congenital defects, while the number of mast cells of fetal skins were increased and exocytosis was observed. This was statistically significant (U=12 p

Erythrosine (FD&C Red No.3, di sodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetra-iodofluorescein); is used extensively as a colour additive in foods, drugs and cosmetics. Previous studies have shown that some of the food additives, depending on their long-term and short-term use, have potential carcinogenic, toxic and teratogenic effects. In Turkey this colourant has temporary permission of use until studies are completed about it. In addition food colours may cause allergic reactioins due to food intolerance. In our study 17 pregnant rats are divided into two groups: control and erythrosine group. 7 Wistar albino rats were administered 5 ml erythrosine (2mg/ml) by gavage at 7-8-9-10-11 th days of their pregnancy. 10 rats in positive control group are given distilled water by gavage. At 20 th day of pregnancy, pregnant rats in both groups sacrificed by cervical dislocation and laparotomy applied. Each live fetus was promptly weighed and examined for congenital anomalies and the crown-rump lenght was measured. Routine fetal histologic studies and light microscopic examination of the sections stained with H&E was applied. Mast cells are examined in the fetal dermal sections stained with Toluidine Blue. In erythrosine group, there were no congenital defects, while the number of mast cells of fetal skins were increased and exocytosis was observed. This was statistically significant (U=12 p