What is E129?
Complete guide to understanding E129 (Allura Red AC) — a widely-used red food dye
The Quick Answer
E129 (Allura Red AC) is a bright red synthetic dye used to color a wide variety of foods and beverages, from soft drinks to candies to medications.
It’s one of the most commonly used food colorants worldwide and is approved by regulatory agencies in the US, EU, and most countries.
However, it comes with a mandatory warning label in the EU: it “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
📌 Quick Facts
- Chemical Name: Allura Red AC or C.I. 16035
- Other Names: FD&C Red No. 40, Food Red 17, Ext. D&C Red No. 10
- Category: Synthetic azo dye (monoazo)
- Found in: Soft drinks, candies, baked goods, yogurt, medications, cosmetics
- Safety Status: Approved globally; warning label required in EU
- Approved by: FDA (US), EFSA (EU), JECFA (WHO)
- Acceptable Daily Intake: 0-7 mg/kg body weight/day
- Warning Label: “May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”
What Exactly Is It?
E129 is a 100% synthetic red dye created entirely in a laboratory from petroleum-derived chemical precursors.
It was developed in 1971 by the Allied Chemical Corporation, who gave it its name “Allura.”
The name “azo dye” refers to its chemical structure: it contains an azo bond (-N=N-), a double bond between two nitrogen atoms that connects aromatic ring structures. This azo bond is what gives the dye its vivid red color and allows it to absorb light at specific wavelengths.
In commercial form, E129 is supplied as the disodium salt, which makes it water-soluble and easier to use in beverages and aqueous food products.
The chemical formula is C₁₇H₁₀N₂Na₂O₇S₂ — a complex molecule built from aromatic rings connected by that distinctive azo bond.
Where You’ll Find It
E129 is one of the most commonly used red food colorants globally. It appears in a huge range of products:
| Category | Specific Examples | Reason for Use |
|---|---|---|
| Beverages | Soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, powdered beverage mixes | Creates vivid red/pink appearance |
| Confectionery | Gummies, hard candies, chewing gum, lollipops, icings, cake decorations | Bright, eye-catching color for appeal to children |
| Baked Goods | Biscuits, pastries, cakes, puddings, gelatins, frosting mixes | Color enhancement |
| Dairy Products | Flavoured milk, yogurt, ice cream, pudding | Creates appealing red/pink color |
| Savoury Foods | Snacks, spices, dressings, sauces, seasonings | Coloring in red/orange applications |
| Pharmaceuticals | Syrups, chewable tablets, capsule coatings | Visual identification of medications |
| Cosmetics | Bath products, lip products, personal care | Color in cosmetic formulations |
If you’ve consumed any processed foods in the past week, you’ve almost certainly had E129 at least once.
Why Do Food Companies Use It?
E129 does one main job: it produces a bright, stable red color that appeals to consumers and stays vibrant over time.
Food companies use it because:
– Bright, appealing color: Consumers associate bright red with freshness, quality, and ripeness — especially for candies and beverages
– Stable to heat, light, and acidic pH: Unlike natural dyes, E129 doesn’t fade during manufacturing, storage, or shelf life
– Cost-effective: Much cheaper than natural red dyes like beetroot extract or anthocyanins
– Highly soluble: Dissolves easily in beverages and food systems
– Blendable: Combines well with other synthetic dyes (yellows, blues) to create different shades
In short: E129 is used because it’s cheap, stable, and makes food look appealing. Natural red alternatives exist but cost 5-10 times more, which would significantly increase food prices.
Is It Safe?
The Official Position
Regulatory agencies worldwide say E129 is safe at permitted use levels.
The established ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) is 0-7 mg/kg of body weight per day, set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), FDA, and WHO’s JECFA.
For a 70 kg adult, this translates to roughly 490 mg per day allowed — far more than typical consumption.
| Consumer Group | Typical Daily Intake | Safety Limit (ADI) | Safety Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average person | Much less than 1 mg | ~490 mg for 70 kg adult | Hundreds of times below limit |
| High consumers (soft drinks, candies) | ~0.4-0.6 mg per day (95th percentile, EU) | ~490 mg for 70 kg adult | ~800x below limit |
| Absolute maximum realistic intake | Rare single-day extreme exposure | ~490 mg for 70 kg adult | Still below limit |
In other words: most people consume E129 in tiny fractions of the amount regulators consider safe.
Health Concerns That Were Identified
1. Hyperactivity in Children (Small but Real Effect)
The most documented concern: The groundbreaking Southampton Study (2007) found that children exposed to E129 and other synthetic food dyes showed a small but statistically significant increase in hyperactivity compared to placebo.
Key findings:
- Study involved 297 children aged 3 and 8-9 years
- Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design
- Mix of 6 dyes including E129 (7.5 mg E129 per dose)
- Effect size: Small (d = 0.12-0.20)
- Crucial finding: Effect applied to ALL children, not just those with ADHD
- Genetic component: HNMT gene variants moderated the effect — about 60% of children are genetically vulnerable
The mechanism: Azo dyes may deplete zinc in sensitive children. Hyperactive children with baseline zinc deficiency showed stronger behavioral changes and urine zinc loss when challenged with dyes.
For context: The hyperactivity effect size (d=0.12-0.2) is much smaller than the effect of ADHD medications (d≈0.36). It’s a real public health concern but not a major health crisis.
2. Allergic Reactions in Sensitive Individuals
The EFSA identified that some people may experience allergic reactions to E129, particularly:
- Urticaria (hives/skin reactions)
- Asthma exacerbation
- Other allergic symptoms
These reactions are more likely when E129 is combined with other synthetic dyes. However, allergies to E129 are uncommon in the general population.
3. Genotoxicity Concerns (Less Serious)
Some laboratory studies showed E129 could cause DNA migration in mouse cells (in vivo Comet assay), suggesting potential DNA damage.
However:
– In vivo carcinogenicity studies in mice and rats were negative (no cancer)
– The EFSA and JECFA concluded these genotoxicity findings do NOT raise safety concerns
– No human epidemiological evidence of cancer linked to E129
– Therefore, NOT classified as a genotoxic substance for regulatory purposes
Why Wasn’t It Banned?
Despite these concerns, E129 remains approved globally. Why? Because:
1. Effect size is small: The hyperactivity effect (d=0.12-0.2) is modest; genetic variation means not all children are affected
2. Typical exposure is well below ADI: Average consumers eat tiny fractions of the allowed amount
3. Warning label provides consumer choice: People can now decide whether to buy foods with E129
4. No proven human carcinogenicity: Despite animal study signals, no human cancer cases documented
5. Cost-benefit analysis favors approval: Benefits (colored foods, consumer choice, affordability) outweigh small documented risks
6. Natural alternatives are much more expensive: Forcing reformulation would increase food prices significantly for all consumers
Natural vs. Synthetic
E129 is 100% synthetic. There is no natural version of Allura Red AC found in nature.
All commercial E129 is manufactured through industrial chemistry from petroleum-derived aromatic compounds.
Natural Alternatives to E129
Safe, approved natural red dyes exist but are rarely used because they cost significantly more:
| Alternative | Source | E-Number | Advantages | Why Not Used Instead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beetroot Red (Betanin) | Extracted from beets | E162 | Natural, safe, approved | More expensive; less vibrant color; less stable |
| Anthocyanins | Extracted from berries | E163 | Natural, very safe, approved | Much more expensive; color fades quickly |
| Carmine | Cochineal insects | E120 | Natural, very stable color | More expensive; not vegetarian/vegan; allergenic to some |
The economics are stark: using natural red dyes would likely increase the cost of soft drinks, candies, and baked goods by 20-50%, passed directly to consumers. Most manufacturers and consumers prefer the lower cost of synthetic dyes, despite the small documented risks.
Comparison to Other Red Dyes
| Red Dye | Status | Key Concern | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| E127 (Erythrosine) | Banned in US (Jan 2025); Restricted in EU | Thyroid tumors in male rats; indirect carcinogenicity | Banned or restricted due to Delaney Clause / precautionary approach |
| E128 (Red 2G) | Banned in EU (2007); Never approved in US | Genotoxic; metabolizes to aniline (known carcinogen) | Emergency ban due to direct carcinogenicity concern |
| E129 (Allura Red) | Approved globally; Warning label required (EU) | Small hyperactivity effect; some genotoxicity signals in vitro | Approved with warning label; consumer choice allowed |
Why the difference? E127 and E128 raised more serious carcinogenicity concerns with stronger evidence. E129’s main documented effect is small hyperactivity, which regulators deemed manageable through warning labels.
The Bottom Line
E129 (Allura Red AC) is a widely-used synthetic red food dye approved globally by regulatory agencies.
What you should know:
- It’s everywhere: In soft drinks, candies, baked goods, yogurt, medications, and many other foods
- It’s deemed safe: Regulatory agencies (FDA, EFSA, JECFA) maintain it’s safe at permitted levels
- It has documented effects: Small but real hyperactivity effect in children; allergic reactions in sensitive people
- You consume tiny amounts: Most people eat far below the ADI (safety limit)
- Genetic variation matters: About 60% of children carry genetic variants that make them more sensitive
- Warning labels help: EU requires labels so parents can make informed choices
- Cost is why it’s used: Natural alternatives exist but are much more expensive