What is E111?
Complete guide to understanding E111 (Orange GGN)
The Quick Answer
E111 (Orange GGN) is a banned synthetic food dye that has been forbidden in the European Union since January 1, 1978.
It was an orange colorant used historically in foods, but toxicological studies showed it posed health risks.
You will not find E111 in any legally-produced food in the EU or most countries—it’s one of the oldest banned food dyes.
📌 Quick Facts
- Category: Food Coloring (synthetic azo dye) – BANNED
- Found in: Only in very old products (no longer in use)
- Safety: BANNED—Forbidden
- Ban Date: January 1, 1978 in the European Union
What Exactly Was It?
E111, also known as Orange GGN or alpha-naphthol orange, was a synthetic chemical dye derived from azo compounds.
It appeared as an intense orange-colored powder and was water-soluble.
The dye was used to impart a bright, vibrant orange color to foods, but it was not a natural colorant—it was created entirely through chemical synthesis.
In chemical terms, it is the disodium salt of 1-(m-sulfophenylazo)-2-naphthol-6-sulfonic acid, but you can simply think of it as “a synthetic orange chemical dye.”
Where It Was Used (Historically)
E111 appeared in (pre-1978):
• Beverages and soft drinks
• Candies and confectionery
• Sauces and condiments
• Fruit preparations and jams
• Any processed food requiring orange coloring
Current availability: E111 is completely absent from modern food products in the EU. The only way you might encounter it is in extremely old packaged foods from before 1978—which would be over 45 years old.
⚠️ ALERT: E111 has been forbidden since January 1, 1978. Any food containing it is either a museum artifact or produced illegally.
Why Was It Banned?
E111 was banned due to toxicological data showing it was harmful to human health.
As a synthetic azo dye, E111 shared health concerns with other problematic dyes:
1. Hyperactivity Risk in Children: Azo dyes like E111 are linked to increased hyperactivity in children, similar to E102 (Tartrazine) and E110 (Sunset Yellow).
2. Allergy Triggers: The dye can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.
3. Aspirin Sensitivity: Particularly problematic for people sensitive to aspirin, who may experience severe reactions.
4. Sufficient Evidence of Harm: Animal and human toxicological testing demonstrated sufficient concern to warrant complete removal from food use.
The European Union made the decision to completely ban E111 on January 1, 1978, taking it off the approved food additives list entirely.
Never Approved by International Standards
Notably, E111 was never even included in the Codex Alimentarius food additives list—the international food standards established by FAO/WHO.
This is significant because it means the ingredient never met the stringent international standards for food safety, making the EU ban part of a broader recognition of its hazardous nature.
Why E111 Over E110?
You might wonder why E111 was banned while E110 (Sunset Yellow FCF) remained approved despite both being orange-yellow dyes.
Key technical detail: While E111 and E110 have nearly identical absorption spectra in the visible and ultraviolet ranges (making them visually similar), they can be distinguished by their infrared spectra.
Regulatory decision: E110 was deemed to have a better safety profile and remained on approved lists, while E111 was considered too risky and was completely delisted.
E110 itself remains controversial and is associated with hyperactivity risks, but it never reached the level of concern that E111 did.
Historical Significance
E111 represents one of the earliest and most stringent food dye bans—occurring in 1978, decades before other problematic dyes were phased out or restricted.
This reflects:
• Early regulatory action to protect public health
• Recognition of synthetic azo dye risks
• Precedent for removing dangerous additives from the food supply
The Bottom Line
E111 (Orange GGN) is a completely banned synthetic food dye that has been forbidden since January 1, 1978.
It was banned due to toxicological evidence showing health risks, particularly regarding hyperactivity in children and allergic reactions.
It was never included in international food standards and represents one of the oldest regulatory bans on food dyes.
If you encounter E111 on a food label today, the product is either extremely old, counterfeit, or illegally manufactured.
Modern food manufacturers have replaced E111 with safer alternatives or have eliminated the need for such synthetic dyes through reformulation.
