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E122ColorantElevated concern
Carmoisine
In plain words
The short version
A bright cherry-red synthetic azo dye common in European jellies, jams, and beverages.
Why we flag it
A synthetic red dye (Azorubine / Carmoisine). It's approved in the EU but banned in some countries, and it's one of the dyes that must carry a hyperactivity warning label. That's why we flag it.
Safety profile
ADI of 4 mg/kg body weight. Like other azo dyes in the Southampton six, EU labelling requires the children's hyperactivity warning. Reports of urticaria and asthma in aspirin-sensitive individuals. Not approved by the US FDA.
The detail
A synthetic azo dye developed in the early 20th century. Synthesized by coupling diazotized 4-aminonaphthalene-1-sulphonic acid with 1-naphthol-4-sulphonic acid, yielding a red water-soluble disodium salt.
Used in jellies, jams, sauces, marzipan, and beverages where a bright cherry-red is wanted. Common in European brands; rarely in the US. Typical use 30–100 mg/kg.
Red crystalline powder, freely soluble in water. Stable in acidic and neutral conditions; sensitive to strong oxidizers. Sulfonic acid groups confer water solubility.
Permitted in the EU (and in Norway, which applies the EU additive rules) with the Southampton warning. Not approved in the US, Japan or Canada. Used in many Asian markets.
Sources
- EFSA — Refined exposure assessment for Azorubine/Carmoisine (E 122) (2015) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2015. ADI of 4 mg/kg bw (EFSA re-evaluation 2009)
- WHO JECFA database — Azorubine (INS 122), ADI 0–4 mg/kg bw (1983) — Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), WHO, 1983. ADI of 4 mg/kg bw
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives — Annex V (warning label for six colours) — European Union, Official Journal L 354, 31.12.2008, 2008. EU children's activity/attention warning label for carmoisine
- EFSA news — EFSA updates safety advice on six food colours (12 November 2009) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2009. EFSA's 2009 re-evaluation kept the existing ADI for azorubine/carmoisine
Checked against these sources on .
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