Azorubine (Carmoisine)
What you need to know
Azorubine — also called carmoisine — is a synthetic red colour used in drinks, ice blocks, lollies and desserts.
It is one of the “Southampton Six” colours, so EU products containing it must carry the children's-attention warning label. The United States and Canada do not permit it in food at all — the same lolly sold in both markets must use a different red.
Australia and New Zealand permit it with limits. People sensitive to other azo dyes may also react to it.
Where it stands, by region
The same additive can be approved in one country and banned in another. This is the divergence that matters most.
| 🇦🇺AU / NZ | Approved Permitted (FSANZ Food Standards Code). |
| 🇪🇺EU | Approved · warning label Permitted with the children's-attention warning label. |
| 🇺🇸US | Banned Not an approved colour additive — not permitted in food. |
| 🇨🇦CA | Banned Not on Health Canada's list of permitted food colours. |
Health evidence
How settled the science is for each area — not how dangerous. “Unknown” means not enough good studies yet.
Disodium 4-hydroxy-3-[(4-sulfonato-1-naphthyl)azo]naphthalene-1-sulfonate. ADI 4 mg/kg bw/day (EFSA, 2009 re-evaluation).