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User:Rainicon/Allura Red AC

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Lead - Krish

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Allura Red AC, also known as FD&C Red 40 or E129, Allura Red AC is a color additive in food, being a replacement of amaranth also known as Red azo dye, another type of food coloring. it was developed in 1971 by the Allied Chemical Corporation.[1]

It is usually supplied as its red sodium salt but can also be used as the calcium and potassium salts. These salts are soluble in water. In solution, its maximum absorbance lies at about 504 nm.

Allura Red AC has changed throughout history, with its production, and safety concerns. The US Food and Drug Administration currently deems it safe for consumption. In the European Union, it is approved but it must carry a warning label. In the United States, the FDA considers it safe for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics. It faced increasing pressure for removal from food in some areas, with California banning it in public schools.

Article body - Sammi & Aidan

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Production - Sammi

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Allura Red AC is manufactured by azo coupling between diazotized cresidinesulfonic acid and 2-naphthol-6-sulfonic acid.[2]

Allura Red AC is a Napthalenseulfonic acid. Allura Red AC came to the United States, to be used in place of amaranth, which is a red azo dye. [3] An Naphthalenesulfonic Acid is used for dye production. Allura Red AC is added into food products to make the overall product look more pleasing. [4]

Use as a consumable coloring agent - Aidan - Sammi

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Allura Red AC is a popular dye used worldwide. Annual production in 1980 was greater than 2.3 million kilograms.[5] It was introduced as a replacement for amaranth in the United States due to lasting suspicion of amaranth possibly being harmful although no final proof was found.[6][7]

In the United States, Allura Red AC is approved by the FDA for use in cosmetics, drugs, and food. When prepared as a lake pigment, known as Red 40 Lake or Red 40 Aluminum Lake. The red lake is what brings the red color to the food products, the lake refers to a type of oil, instead of the normal water-soluble dyes. The oil produces a long lasting coloring.[8] It is used in some tattoo inks and is used in many products, such as cotton candy, soft drinks, candy, cherry-flavored products, children's medications, and dairy products. It is occasionally used to dye medicinal tablets to help with identification, such as with fexofenadine, an antihistamine.[9] It is by far the most commonly used red dye in the United States, completely replacing amaranth (Red 2) and also replacing erythrosine (Red 3) in most applications due to the negative health effects of those two dyes.[10]

The European Union approved Allura Red AC as a food colorant in 1994, but EU countries' local laws banning food colorants were preserved[11] until subsequent changes in the 2000s. In the United States, Allura Red AC is approved by the FDA for use in cosmetics, drugs, and food. When prepared as a lake pigment(Red 40 is water-soluble (used in liquids/gels), while Red 40 Lake is insoluble and designed for oil-based products, candies, and pills), it is disclosed as Red 40 Lake or Red 40 Aluminum Lake. It is used in some tattoo inks and is used in many products, such as cotton candy, soft drinks, candy, cherry-flavored products, children's medications, and dairy products. It is occasionally used to dye medicinal tablets to help with identification, such as with fexofenadine, an antihistamine.[12] It is by far the most commonly used red dye in the United States,[13] completely replacing amaranth (Red 2) and also replacing erythrosine (Red 3) in most applications due to the negative health effects of those two dyes.[14]

History - Sammi

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Allura Red AC has had many names, it first name was Coal Tar dye, going back to the early 1800's. Coal Tar dye was made by the distillation of the tar; it was done in a synthetic dye and was tested on. The First Allura Red AC that is found is Naphthol Red S, that was soluble in water and produced a red color. [15]

Coal tar dyes opened the door to other synthetic dyes, and new testing. From coal tar dyes chemist tested diazotization of aniline, which made a salt, which made the red azo dyes, produced in 1877. [16]

With more studies coming out on red azo dyes, it created amaranth in 1886 by O. Knecht. Amaranth was later banned due to cancer causing issues by the FDA in 1976.[17] Due to health concerns, Allura Red AC came to light, being shown as a safer dye. Allura Red allowed cheaper and faster production, the dye also lasted longer in food products. (Food and Toxicological Pathology Chapter 2)[18]

Allura Red AC is the most common used red dye since the 2000s, even with massive health concerns tired to the dye, it still is one of the most used dyes in the United States. Throughout the history of Allura Red AC is stayed consistent with being used for food products like candy, and jellies. It was also used throughout the years to make food products look more appealing.

Studies on safety - Aidan

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Allura Red has been heavily studied by food safety groups in North America and Europe, and remains in wide use. However, chronic exposure to the dye has been shown to increase susceptibility to bowel disorders in mice. The dye has also been shown to damage the DNA of and cause colonic inflammation in mice.[unreliable medical source?]

The UK's Food Standards Agency commissioned a study of six food dyes, dubbed the "Southampton 6" (tartrazine, Allura Red, Ponceau 4R, Quinoline Yellow, sunset yellow, carmoisine), and sodium benzoate (a preservative) on children in the general population, who consumed them in beverages. The study found "a possible link between the consumption of these artificial colours and a sodium benzoate preservative and increased hyperactivity" in the children; the advisory committee to the FSA that evaluated the study also determined that because of study limitations, the results could not be extrapolated to the general population, and further testing was recommended.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), with a stronger emphasis on the precautionary principle(requiring proof that a substance is safe before allowing it in food), required labelling and temporarily reduced the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for the food colorings; the UK FSA called for voluntary withdrawal of the colorings by food manufacturers.[19][20] However, in 2009, the EFSA re-evaluated the data at hand and determined that "the available scientific evidence does not substantiate a link between the color additives and behavioral effects",[19] and in 2014, after further review of the data, the EFSA restored the prior ADI levels.[21] In 2015, the EFSA found that the exposure estimates did not exceed the ADI of 7 mg/kg per day in any population.[22] However, the EU now requires that all products containing synthetic food dyes display a label reading "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children".[23][24]

In contrast, the US GRAS policy does not include color additives and must be dealt with separately.[25]

The US FDA did not make changes following the publication of the Southampton study. Following a citizen petition filed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest in 2008, requesting the FDA ban several food additives, the FDA commenced a review of the available evidence but found no evidence to justify changes.

Allura Red AC has previously been banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Sweden. This changed in 2008, when the EU adopted a common framework for authorizing food additives, under which Allura Red AC is not currently banned. In Norway and Iceland, it was banned between 1978 and 2001, a period in which azo dyes were only legally used in alcoholic beverages and some fish products.

In September 2024, California banned the inclusion of Allura Red AC, along with five other artificial dyes, in food served in the state's public schools.

In April 2025, the US FDA officially announced a plan to phase out Allura Red AC along with other petroleum-based dyes by the end of the year as part of the administration and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again initiative.[26] The plan does not ban the chemical, relying on food producers working with the FDA to voluntarily remove Allura Red AC from their products. The FDA has compiled a spreadsheet of companies who have pledged to remove petroleum based dyes from their products.[27]

Alternatives- Aidan

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Natural alternatives for red 40 include beet juice/powder, paprika, hibiscus, and red radish. The FDA also allows FD&C Red No. 3 to be used in foods.

Legal Status- Aidan

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Country* Status
US Phasing Out[28]
EU/UK Legal(Restricted)[29]
Japan Legal[30]
Canada Legal[31]
Australia Legal[32]

*Countries not either have no laws concerning red 40 or have not been added yet

References

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  1. ↑ "US FDA/CFSAN - Color Additives Fact Sheet". www.cfsan.fda.gov. Archived from the original on 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2026-04-26.
  2. ↑ PubChem. "E129". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  3. ↑ PubChem. "E129". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  4. ↑ Yamjala, Karthik; Nainar, Meyyanathan Subramania; Ramisetti, Nageswara Rao (2016-02-01). "Methods for the analysis of azo dyes employed in food industry – A review". Food Chemistry. 192: 813–824. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.07.085. ISSN 0308-8146.
  5. ↑ Sharma, Vinita; McKone, Harold T.; Markow, Peter G. (2011). "A Global Perspective on the History, Use, and Identification of Synthetic Food Dyes". Journal of Chemical Education. 88 (1): 24–28. Bibcode:2011JChEd..88...24S. doi:10.1021/ed100545v.
  6. ↑ "Human Metabolome Database: Showing metabocard for Allura red AC (HMDB0032884)". Human Metabolome Database. 2012-09-11. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  7. ↑ "Food and Drug Administration's Regulation of Food Additives".
  8. ↑ Ltd, HODU Application Development Unit, HODU Solutions Pvt. "Allura Red AC Colour Manufacturer and Exporter". www.ajantacolours.com. Retrieved 2026-04-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ "FD&C Red No. 40: What is it and where is it used?". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 2026-01-12. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  10. ↑ Rovina, Kobun; Siddiquee, Shafiquzzaman; Shaarani, Sharifudin M. (2016). "Extraction, Analytical and Advanced Methods for Detection of Allura Red AC (E129) in Food and Beverages Products". Frontiers in Microbiology. 7: 798. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.00798. ISSN 1664-302X. PMC 4882322. PMID 27303385.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  11. ↑ European Parliament and Council Directive 94/36/EC of 30 June 1994 on colours for use in foodstuffs
  12. ↑ "FD&C Red No. 40 (Inactive Ingredient)". drugs.com. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  13. ↑ Zhang, Qi; Chumanevich, Alexander A.; Nguyen, Ivy; Chumanevich, Anastasiya A.; Sartawi, Nora; Hogan, Jake; Khazan, Minou; Harris, Quinn; Massey, Bryson; Chatzistamou, Ioulia; Buckhaults, Phillip J.; Banister, Carolyn E.; Wirth, Michael; Hebert, James R.; Murphy, E. Angela (2023). "The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice". Toxicology Reports. 11: 221–232. Bibcode:2023ToxR...11..221Z. doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.08.006. ISSN 2214-7500. PMC 10502305. PMID 37719200.
  14. ↑ Rovina, Kobun; Siddiquee, Shafiquzzaman; Shaarani, Sharifudin M. (2016). "Extraction, Analytical and Advanced Methods for Detection of Allura Red AC (E129) in Food and Beverages Products". Frontiers in Microbiology. 7: 798. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.00798. ISSN 1664-302X. PMC 4882322. PMID 27303385.
  15. ↑ Leach (1905). The Use of Coal Tar Colors in Food Products, Page 7, Page 148. Food and Drink in History Adam Mathews.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  16. ↑ Kellydobos (2019-05-15). "The Colorful History of Synthetic Organic Pigments Used in Color Cosmetics". Chemists Corner. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  17. ↑ Investigations, Office of Inspections and (2025-03-25). "CPG Sec 587.200 Uncertified or Delisted Colors in Foods for Export - (e.g., FD&C Red #2)". www.fda.gov. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  18. ↑ "Food and Toxicologic Pathology", Haschek and Rousseaux' s Handbook of Toxicologic Pathology, Academic Press, pp. 33–103, 2023-01-01, retrieved 2026-04-22
  19. 1 2 FDA (March 30, 2011). "Background Document for the Food Advisory Committee: Certified Color Additives in Food and Possible Association with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children:date" (PDF). Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-05-02.
  20. ↑ Sarah Chapman of Chapman Technologies on behalf of Food Standards Agency in Scotland. March 2011 [Guidelines on approaches to the replacement of Tartrazine, Allura Red, Ponceau 4R, Quinoline Yellow, Sunset Yellow and Carmoisine in food and beverages]
  21. ↑ EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to food (ANS) Reconsideration of the temporary ADI and refined exposure assessment for Sunset Yellow FCF (E 110) EFSA Journal 2014;12(7):3765 . doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3765
  22. ↑ "Refined exposure assessment for Allura Red AC (E 129) | European Food". Efsa.europa.eu. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  23. ↑ "REGULATION (EC) No 1333/2008 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL". EUR-LEX. 16 December 2008.
  24. ↑ Galligan, Thomas. "Why are there no EU-style food dye warning labels in the US?". Center For Science in the Public Interest.
  25. ↑ Program, Human Foods (2024-09-30). "Color Additives in Foods". FDA.
  26. ↑ "HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation's Food Supply". Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  27. ↑ Program, Human Foods (2026-04-25). "Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes". FDA.
  28. ↑ Commissioner, Office of the (2026-02-05). "FDA Takes New Approach to "No Artificial Colors" Claims". FDA. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  29. ↑ "Food and Feed Information Portal Database | FIP". ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  30. ↑ "The Japan Food Chemical Research Foundation". www.ffcr.or.jp. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  31. ↑ Canadian Food Inspection Agency. "Food colours". inspection.canada.ca. Archived from the original on 2026-01-19. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  32. ↑ "Colours and food additives reported as banned | Food Standards Australia New Zealand". www.foodstandards.gov.au. Retrieved 2026-04-22.

Peer Review by Tyler Needham:

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Lead:

Krish did well in the lead by adding new information about different names for Red 40.

The lead does introduce the topic in an easy-to-understand way.

The lead does not include a description of the article's main sections well.

All the information in the lead seems to be covered in the article as well.

The lead is concise and of good length.

Content

The content added is mostly relevant to the topic, however I don't see a need for the lake pigment section.

The content added is up to date, but could use more information regarding the earliest production of Red 40

The article does not deal with any of Wikipedia's equity gaps. A good group to cover would be those who have experienced weightgain and side effects from the substance, especially poor groups.

Is it historical

The article is historical, covering the product's history back to the early 1800’s.

The perspectives included seem to all come from consumers. Perspectives from those who have injury claims from the product or even producers of the product would be very helpful.

The history is backed up by the sources they used well.

The article only seems to include viewpoints from consumers, there are statistics about certain countries, but the article does seem to mostly lack viewpoints and opinions, instead containing mostly statistics.

Tone and Balance

The content added is very neutral and does not share opinions; it mentions certain politicians but does not share any biased opinions.

Claims do seem biased toward the opinion that red40 is bad for consumers, but no science shares its good for a consumer, making it hard to counter.

A viewpoint of scientists or people who have a vested interest in the product, sharing their opinion on why the product isn't harmful, would be good to include.

The content added does not attempt to persuade any readers, just to share information.

Sources and References

All sources I reviewed are reliable sources of information, and are peer reviewed.

The content does reflect what the sources say very well, and it is made even easier by the use of page numbers in the citations.

The sources are mostly current, with some sources being from the FDA and other gov’t sites.

The sources do not include marginalized individuals, but it seems difficult to include them on this topic.

All the new links provided work, but there are 2 links on the article that are old and will not work.

Organization

The new content is very well written and organized. With no visible spelling errors.

The content could be organized better by importance and relevance, “use as a coloring agent” does not need to be above “studies on safety”.

Peer Review by Kaitlyn White

The article lead has good additions including the safety aspects discussed in the added information and how the safety studies impacted the usage, specifically in the US. It could use a brief description of what historical information was added, but overall it was very concise and to the point. Possibly could use some summarization of safety in other countries other than the U.S. to add to different country perspectives of Red 40. The content added is relevant to the topic especially showing more added information on global interest of safety and usage. For the production and use as a coloring agent sections, some of the information overlaps with pre-existing information, possibly the sections could be combined to make them fit together better and information flow better. In the production section, it talks about Allura Red AC coming to the US, could help to add dates for when it came here and what was the pushing factor. I like that in the use as a consumable coloring agent, the red lake was clarified and that helped me process the more scientific terms and what the difference is. The historical section added a really different and fresh perspective of Red 40, since it is usually thought of as a modern ingredient. I like that it had information from all the different decades it was present in. Where was the name Coal Tar dye used in? Where was the First Allura Red AC found and used in? Where were red azo dyes produced? Where were the studies done by O. Knecht? Is all this information for the U.S. or is there more historical information about it in other countries and globally. Legal status was a really good addition especially since we talked about it a lot in class. Possibly just an addition of more points of view in the history section, the safety section addresses different countries' perspectives well. All of it is neutral information. Majority of the sources used are from the FDA and are reliable sources that are available to the public, the links added worked. It is really well written, neutral in tone, grammatically correct, and shows concise clear information that majority of public could read and understand.

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