E124

Ponceau 4R (Cochineal Red A)

Synthetic Red Dye Requiring UK Warning Label

What is E124 (Ponceau 4R)?

E124 is Ponceau 4R (also called Cochineal Red A), a synthetic red dye made from petroleum (coal tar derivative).

Also known as:

• Cochineal Red A (not to be confused with natural cochineal E120)
• Brilliant Scarlet 4R
• New Coccine
• C.I. Food Red 7

Why it's used:

• Strawberry-red colour in desserts and sweets
• Cheap synthetic alternative to natural red dyes
• Stable – doesn't fade with heat or light

Where is E124 Found?

Sweets & Desserts:

• Red jelly sweets and gummies
• Strawberry-flavoured desserts
• Cake mixes and icing
• Candied cherries

Drinks:

• Strawberry milkshakes
• Red soft drinks and cordials
• Some energy drinks

Other Foods:

• Ice lollies
• Tinned strawberries and cherries
• Some sausages (to enhance red colour)
• Packet soups and sauces

Non-Food Uses:

• Medicines (particularly children's syrups)
• Cosmetics

Health Concerns

1. Hyperactivity in Children (Southampton Study)

E124 was one of six dyes tested in the 2007 Southampton Study, which found:

• Increased hyperactivity in children aged 3 and 8-9
• Reduced attention and focus
• Effects seen in general population, not just children with ADHD

Result: UK and EU now require warning labels on products containing E124.

2. Allergic Reactions

E124 can cause allergic reactions in some people:

• Skin rashes and hives
• Itching
• Facial swelling (rare)
• Asthma worsening in sensitive individuals

Cross-reactivity: People allergic to aspirin or other azo dyes (E102, E110, E122, E129) may also react to E124.

3. Possible Cancer Risk (Animal Studies)

• Some animal studies showed tumours at high doses
• Human evidence: No clear cancer link in humans
• Reason for US ban: FDA concerned about insufficient safety data

4. Azo Dye Breakdown

E124 is an azo dye, which breaks down in the gut into aromatic amines – some of which may be harmful:

• Gut bacteria metabolize azo dyes
• Some breakdown products have raised toxicity concerns
• Long-term health effects unclear

Why is E124 Banned in the US?

The FDA never approved E124 for use in food, citing:

• Insufficient safety data
• Concerns about azo dye breakdown products
• Availability of safer alternatives (natural dyes or other approved synthetics like E129)

UK Warning Label Requirement

Since 2010, UK products containing E124 must display:

"May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children"

This followed the Southampton Study and EU Food Standards Agency recommendation.

Who Should Avoid E124?

❌ Must Avoid:

• Children with ADHD – may worsen hyperactivity
• People with aspirin allergy – cross-reactivity risk
• Known allergy to azo dyes
• People with asthma – may trigger symptoms

⚠️ Consider Limiting:

• All children – precautionary approach based on hyperactivity studies
• Anyone avoiding synthetic additives

Natural Alternatives

Many manufacturers now use safer alternatives:

• Beetroot extract – purple-red
• Carmine (E120) – from cochineal insects (not vegan)
• Paprika extract (E160c) – orange-red
• Anthocyanins – from berries

The Bottom Line

• ❌ Banned in the US, Norway, Finland
• ⚠️ UK warning label required – may affect children's behaviour
• ⚠️ Hyperactivity concerns – Southampton Study evidence
• ⚠️ Allergic reactions possible – especially aspirin-sensitive people
• ⚠️ Cancer risk unclear – animal studies inconclusive
• ⚠️ Azo dye breakdown – potential toxicity from metabolites

Our recommendation: Avoid E124, especially for children. The fact it's banned in the US and Nordic countries suggests significant safety concerns. Choose products with natural red colourings instead.

Last updated: February 2026