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E129 – Allura Red AC: Food Dye Explained

E129 (Allura Red AC) is a synthetic red food dye approved in the EU, widely used to give foods, beverages, and confectionery a vivid red color.

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Things worth knowing about "E129"

E129 (Allura Red AC) is a synthetic red food dye approved in the EU, widely used to give foods, beverages, and confectionery a vivid red color.

What is E129?

E129, commonly known as Allura Red AC, is a synthetic azo dye that gives foods a bright red to orange-red color. In the United States, it is approved under the name FD&C Red No. 40 and is one of the most widely used food colorings in the world. Within the European Union, it is authorized as a food additive under the E number 129.

Origin and Production

E129 is chemically synthesized from aromatic hydrocarbons, which were originally derived from coal tar. Today, it is produced entirely through synthetic chemical processes. The dye belongs to the group of azo dyes, characterized by a distinctive azo group (-N=N-) in their molecular structure.

Uses in Food

E129 is used in a wide variety of food products and beverages to achieve an appealing red color. Common applications include:

Confectionery and sweets
Soft drinks and fruit-flavored beverages
Fruit yogurts and desserts
Jellies, jams, and preserves
Breakfast cereals and snack products
Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals (as a coloring agent)

Health Aspects

General Safety Assessment

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated E129 and established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 7 mg per kg of body weight per day. Under normal dietary conditions, most adults do not exceed this level.

Hyperactivity in Children

E129 is one of the so-called Southampton Six – a group of six synthetic food dyes linked to increased hyperactivity in children in a British study (McCann et al., 2007). As a result of these findings, the EU has required since 2010 that foods containing any of these dyes carry the warning label: May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.

Allergies and Intolerances

In sensitive individuals, particularly those with aspirin intolerance or asthma, E129 may trigger allergic reactions or pseudo-allergic responses. Symptoms can include skin rash, urticaria (hives), or respiratory complaints.

Labeling Requirements in the EU

In the European Union, all food products containing E129 must declare it in the ingredients list – either as E129 or as Allura Red AC. The aforementioned warning regarding potential effects on activity and attention in children is also mandatory.

Approval and Regulation

E129 is authorized in the EU under Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 on food additives, for use in specific food categories and within defined maximum permitted levels. In some countries, such as Norway and Austria, the dye was at times more strictly restricted or banned, but it is now regulated uniformly across the EU.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of Allura Red AC (E 129) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2009.
McCann D. et al.: Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community. The Lancet, 2007; 370(9598):1560-1567.
European Commission: Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union, 2008.

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