What is E126?

Complete guide to understanding E126 (Ponceau 6R)

The Critical Answer

E126 (Ponceau 6R) is a red azo dye that is NOT currently approved for use as a food additive.

While it was previously assigned the E-number E126, it has been delisted and removed from approved food colorants in the European Union.

You will not find E126 in any legally-produced food in the EU.

What Was It?

E126 (Ponceau 6R) was a synthetic azo dye derived from coal tar.

It produced a bright, intense red color and was water-soluble, making it suitable for use in beverages and other aqueous foods.

Wikipedia clearly states: “It was used as a food dye, formerly having E number E126.”

It was entirely synthetic—not derived from natural sources.

Where It Was Used (Historically)

E126 appeared in (before delisting):

• Soft drinks and beverages
• Jams, fruit preserves, and jellies
• Candies and confectionery
• Sauces and condiments
• Other foods requiring bright red coloring

Current availability in food: E126 is completely absent from modern EU food products. If you encounter it on a food label, the product is either extremely old (pre-delisting), mislabeled, or produced illegally or outside the EU.

Why Was It Delisted?

E126 was delisted due to health concerns associated with azo dyes:

1. Allergic Reactions: Ponceau 6R is known to trigger allergic reactions and hypersensitivity in susceptible individuals.

2. Hyperactivity Concerns: As an azo dye, it shares the general concern with other red azo dyes (E122, E124) about links to hyperactivity in children.

3. General Azo Dye Profile: All azo dyes are metabolized by gut bacteria into aromatic amines that can affect neurotransmitter function and potentially trigger behavioral issues in children.

4. Regulatory Consolidation: The EU gradually removed problematic synthetic dyes in favor of safer natural or better-studied alternatives.

As a result, E126 was removed from the approved food additives list and is no longer permitted for food use in the EU.

How It Differs from Related Dyes

E126 (Ponceau 6R) is one of several red azo dyes in the food color range:

• E122 (Carmoisine) – Still approved in EU (with warning label)
• E124 (Cochineal Red A/Ponceau 4R) – Still approved in EU (with warning label)
• E125 (Scarlet GN/Ponceau SX) – Banned in USA and EU
• E126 (Ponceau 6R) – Delisted, no longer approved for food use
• E127 (Erythrosine) – Different type (halogenated xanthene), still approved

The delisting of E126 suggests it was considered more problematic than E122 and E124 (which remain approved but with warning labels).

Where Is It Still Used?

Non-food applications:

• Histology: Still used in medical laboratory staining (MSB Trichrome stain for staining fibrin in tissue samples)
• Cosmetics: May have limited use in topical cosmetic applications
• Research: Used in scientific applications and staining procedures

Ponceau 6R remains valuable in non-food scientific and medical applications, where the regulatory standards are different from food use.

Why Is E126 Still Listed?

You might wonder why E126 still appears in E-number reference lists if it’s delisted.

Reasons for continued listing:

• Historical documentation: E-number references include all additives, approved and delisted, for completeness
• Prevention of illegal use: Regulators maintain records of banned/delisted substances to catch violations
• Consumer education: People need to know what NOT to consume
• International differences: Approval status varies by country and changes over time

The Bottom Line

E126 (Ponceau 6R) is a delisted red azo dye that is no longer approved for food use in the European Union.

Key points:

• It was formerly an approved food additive with E-number E126
• It has been delisted and removed from EU food approvals
• It was delisted due to health concerns (allergic reactions, hyperactivity potential)
• It is no longer used in any legally-produced EU food
• It still has limited use in medical histology and some non-food applications
• If found on a food label today, indicates an extremely old, mislabeled, or illegally-produced product

This represents a regulatory decision that E126 was problematic enough to remove entirely from food use, rather than merely restricting it (as done with E122 and E124).