Identifiers
Cochineal red A
New Coccine
INS No. 124
E 124;
CAS No. 2611-82-7
CI Food Red 7
Physical Description
Ponceau 4R is a monoaze dye that occurs as reddish powder or granules. It is principally the trisodium salt of 2-hydroxy-1-(4-sulfonato-1- naphthylazo)-6,8-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
Typical applications include beverages, confectionery, bakery, dairy fats and oils, meat, seafood, snacks, dry mixes and seasonings, fruit preparation, convenient food, and pharmaceuticals.
Specifications
Codex GSFA Provisions
Ponceau 4R (INS No. 124) is added to foods and beverages at concentrations up to a maximum permitted level (MPL) as established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. There are more than 40 food categories for which MPLs for Ponceau 4R have been adopted in the General Standard for Food Additives.
Regulatory Approvals
Safety Reviews
Safety evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants (74th Meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) WHO Food Additives Series No. 65, 2012. Available online
EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food; Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Ponceau 4R (E 124) as a food additive on request from the European Commission. EFSA Journal 2009; 7(11):1328. [39 pp.]. Available online