Alternate Names

Azorubine, Acid Red 14, Azorubin, Brillantcarmoisin O

Description

Synthetic food dye which imparts a red coloring. It is made from disodium salt and is widely used in the UK.

Additional Information

A study in 2007 showed that this coloring, when mixed with Sodium Benzoate, increased hyperactive behavior in children. The European Union requires food containing this colorant to have a label which states: "may have an adverse effect on activity in children" (see In the News section below). Carmoisine is banned in the US, Canada, Japan, Norway and Sweden. The UK is in the process of trying to ban this colorant and many food manufacturers are voluntarily removing it from their products.

Found In

soda, marzipan products, jams, preserves, jelly

Possible Health Effects

Known to cause hyperactivity in children. May also cause symptoms of general allergic reaction (skin swelling, breathing difficulties, hives). Carmoisine may also cause cancer and tumors based on animal studies.

Allergy Information

May cause allergic reaction in sensitive individuals

In The News

In December 2008, the European Union took action to require special labeling on foods containing any of 6 different artificial food colorings. The warning label states that the food "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" and the mandate went into effect on July 20, 2010.

Online Resources/Related

• European Food Safety Authority, Statement on Food Additives and Developmental Neurotoxicity, January 2006, European Food Safety Authority, Committee on Toxicity
• Food Standards Agency, Agency Revises Advice on Certain Artificial Colours, September 11, 2007, Food Standards Agency
• Boll Chim Farm (Vol.136, Issue 10, Pgs 615-27), Physiological effects of some synthetic food colouring additives on rats. , November 1997, H Aboel-Zahab, Z el-Khyat, G Sidhom, R Awadallah, W Abdel-al, K Mahdy

Print Resources

• Winter, Ruth. A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, 7th Edition: Descriptions in Plain English of More Than 12,000 Ingredients Both Harmful and Desirable Found in Foods. Three Rivers Press, 2009
• Statham, Bill. Eat Safe: The Truth about Additives from Aspartame to Xanthan Gum. Running Press, 2008
• Minich, Deanna M. An A-Z Guide to Food Additives: Never Eat What You Can't Pronounce. Conari Press, 2009
• Farlow, Christine Hoza, D.C.Food Additives: A Shopper's Guide To What's Safe & What's Not. KISS For Health Publishing, 2007 Revised Edition

Copyright August 7, 2010 Be Food Smart