FD&C Red #3 is solubilized under acidic conditions to provide a substantially cloud-free and precipitate-free product by dispersing the Red #3 in a solvent having a pH above about 4.5, fixing the Red #3 with a substrate, and solubilizing the fixed Red #3 into an aqueous solution in the presence of an amount of gelatin and for a period of time effective to stabilize the Red #3 in an aqueous solution below the pH of about 4.5, and adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution below about 4.5.