Identifiers
INS No. 123
E 123
CAS No. 915-67-3
CI Food Red 9
Naphtol Rot S
Physical Description
Amaranth is a monoazo dye that occurs as reddish brown to dark reddish brown powder or granules. It is principally the trisodium salt of 3-hydroxy-4-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo)-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonate and subsidiary coloring matters together with sodium chloride and/or sodium sulfate as the principal uncolored components. It may be converted to the corresponding aluminum lake.
Common Uses
Amaranth can be used to color a variety of foods and beverages, including confectionery products, desserts, cereals, bakery products, dairy products, sausages, and snack foods.
Specifications
Codex GSFA Provisions
Amaranth (INS No. 123) is added to foods and beverages at concentrations up to a maximum permitted level (MPL) as established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. There are currently 7 food categories for which MPLs for amaranth have been adopted in the General Standard of Food Additives.
Regulatory Approvals
Safety Reviews
WHO Food Additive Series 19-JECFA 28/3. Available online
EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Amaranth (E 123) as a food additive on request from the European Commission. EFSA Journal 2010;8(7):1649. [41 pp.]. Available online