Allura Red AC

Identifiers

INS No. 129
FD&C Red No. 40
E129
CI Food Red 17
CAS No. 25956-17-6

Physical Description

Allura red occurs as a red-brown powder or granule. It is a monoazo dye, consisting mainly of disodium 6-hydroxy-5-(2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfonato-phenylazo)-2-naphthalene-sulfonate and subsidiary coloring matter together with sodium chloride and/or sodium sulfate as the principal uncolored components and may be converted to the corresponding aluminum lake.

Common Uses

Allura red can be used for coloring food, drugs, and cosmetics, including beverages, frozen treats, powder mixes, gelatin products, candies, icings, jellies, spices, dressings, sauces, baked goods and dairy products.

Specifications

Regulatory Approvals

JECFA: ADI of 0-7 mg/kg bw (82nd Report, 2016). There are more than 50 food categories for which maximum permitted levels (MPLs) for Allura Red AC (INS No. 129) have been adopted in the General Standard of Food Additives.

USA: FD&C Red No. 40 and FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake are subject to certification and may be safely used for coloring foods (including dietary supplements) (21 CFR 74.340),  drugs (21 CFR 74.1340) and cosmetics (21 CFR 74.2340), in amounts consistent with GMP. FD&C Red No. 40 was first permanently listed as a color allowed in food and drugs requiring certification in 1971.

EU: ADI of 0-7 mg/kg body weight (EFSA, 2009); EFSA has also established MPLs for use of Allura red AC in specific foods and beverages in Europe.

Safety Reviews

Lack of genotoxicity in vivo for food color additive Allura Red AC, Food & Chemical Toxicology, 2017. Available online

Safety evaluation of certain food additives (82nd Meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) WHO Food Additives Series No. 73, 2017. Available online

EFSA ANS Panel (2009) Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Allura Red AC (E 129) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 7(11), 1327-66. Available online

FDA Final Rule (Food and drugs GMP). 36 FR 6892; Apr 10, 1971. Available online

FDA Final Rule (FD&C Red No. 40 lakes). 36 FR 23552; Dec 10, 1971. Available online

FDA Final Rule (Cosmetics generally, including lakes). 39 FR 44198; Dec 23, 1974. Available online

FDA Final Rule (For coloring drugs and cosmetics intended for use in eye area, including the aluminum lake). 59 FR 7635; Feb 16, 1994. Available online