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Food & drinkCautionE129

Allura Red AC

اللون الأحمر AC (ألورا ريد)

Color (azo dye)

The verdict

Required to carry a child hyperactivity warning in Europe.

What it is

Synthetic red food dye, also called Red 40 or FD&C Red No. 40. The most-used red dye in US processed food.

⚡ WTF fact

Required to carry a child hyperactivity warning in Europe since 2010. California banned it from K-12 school food in 2024. The FDA announced a full phase-out by October 2027. Still in your Doritos today.

Evidence & status

IARC carcinogen group

not_classified

Acceptable intake

0-7 mg/kg bw/day

EU status

approved (warning required: 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children')

US · FDA status

approved (phase-out announced June 2025)

Halal status: halal

Synthetic azo dye; no animal source. Halal.

Worth knowing

Use caution for children

Also known as

Red 40 · FD&C Red No. 40 · CI 16035 · E 129

Primary source

McCann D, Barrett A, Cooper A, et al. (2007). Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 370(9598):1560-1567. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61306-3

Evidence, not medical advice. You decide.

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