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ColourINS 129
E129
Allura Red AC
What you need to know
Allura Red is a synthetic red colour (FD&C Red 40 in the US). Like tartrazine it is one of the “Southampton Six” colours linked to hyperactivity in some children.
The European Union requires the same children's-attention warning label. It is widely used in the US in sweets, drinks and cereals.
Recent animal research has raised early questions about gut-lining effects, but this is not yet established in humans.
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 children's-attention warning label. |
| 🇺🇸US | Approved Permitted as FD&C Red No. 40. |
| 🇨🇦CA | Approved Permitted (Health Canada). |
Health evidence
How settled the science is for each area — not how dangerous. “Unknown” means not enough good studies yet.
Hyperactivity & behaviour
Higher risk in children
Probable
Allergy & intolerance
Suspected
Gut microbiome
Suspected
Metabolic effects
Unknown
Carcinogenicity
Unknown
Cardiovascular
Unknown
Disodium 6-hydroxy-5-[(2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfophenyl)azo]-2-naphthalenesulfonate. ADI 7 mg/kg bw/day (EFSA).
Synthesis: Synthetic (azo dye)ADI 7 mg/kg bw/day