Alternate Names

Allura Red AC, FD&C Red. No. 40 - Calcium Lake, FD&C Red. No. 40 - Aluminum Lake

Description

An azo dye produced from petroleum to create shades of red. Also see Food, Drug & Cosmetic Colors (FD&C).

Additional Information

One of the newest colors to be permanently listed by the FDA. It is extremely prevalent in foods and is one of the most commonly used of all the food dyes. Due to several studies on children and hyperactivity, 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). This can be problematic for parents since this food dye is found in thousands of products marketed specifically to children. Red No. 40 is banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Sweden and Switzerland. The safety of this colorant is highly controversial.

Found In

soft drinks, candy, children's medications, cereal, beverages, snacks, gelatin desserts, baked goods, ice cream

Possible Health Effects

Known to cause hyperactivity in children. Some animal studies indicate that chemicals used in the preparation of this colorant are carcinogenic and may cause cancer. Developmental, reproductive and general organ toxicity have also been noted in animal studies. Caution advised to those with aspirin sensitivities as reactions can occur.

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

• Food Standards Agency, Agency Revises Advice on Certain Artificial Colours, September 11, 2007, Food Standards Agency (an independent government department in the UK)
• The Lancet, Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, September 2007, Donna McCann, Angelina Barrett, Alison Cooper, Debbie Crumpler, Lindy Dalen, Kate Grimshaw, Elizabeth Kitchin, Kris Lok, Lucy Porteous, Emily Prince, Edmund Sonuga-Barke, John O Warner, Jim Stevenson
• Center for Science in the Public Interest, Letter to the FDA: Petition to Ban the Use of Yellow 5 and Other Food Dyes, June 3, 2008, Center for Science in the Public Interest

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 8, 2010 Be Food Smart, Updated March 8, 2011