Ponceau 4R

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Ponceau 4R

Ponceau 4R (also known as Food Red 7, C.I. 16255, Cochineal Red A, New Coccine, Acid Red 18, SX purple) is a synthetic colourant that may be added to foods to induce a colour change. It is denoted by E Number E124, and has the capacity for inducing an allergic reaction. Its chemical name is trisodium salt of 1-(4-sulpho-1-napthylazo)- 2-napthol- 6,8-disulphonic acid.

Ponceau 4R is a red azo dye usually synthesized from coal tar which can be used in a variety of food products.

1 Health effects
2 Possible cause of hyperactivity
3 References
4 External links
5 See also

[edit] Health effects

Because it is an azo dye, it may elicit intolerance in people allergic to salicylates (aspirin). Additionally, it is a histamine liberator, and may intensify symptoms of asthma.

Ponceau 4R is considered carcinogenic in some countries, including the USA, Norway, and Finland, and it is currently listed as a banned substance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). [1] Since 2000, the FDA has seized Chinese-produced haw flakes (a fruit candy) on numerous occasions for containing Ponceau 4R.[2]

[edit] Possible cause of hyperactivity

On 6 September 2007, the British Food Standards Agency revised advice on certain artificial food additives, including E124.

Professor Jim Stevenson from Southampton University, and author of the report, said: "This has been a major study investigating an important area of research. The results suggest that consumption of certain mixtures of artificial food colours and sodium benzoate preservative are associated with increases in hyperactive behaviour in children.

"However, parents should not think that simply taking these additives out of food will prevent hyperactive disorders. We know that many other influences are at work but this at least is one a child can avoid."

The following additives were tested in the research:

Sunset yellow (E110) - Colouring found in squashes
Carmoisine (E122) - Red colouring in jellies
Tartrazine (E102) - New colouring in lollies, fizzy drinks
Ponceau 4R (E124) - Red colouring
Sodium benzoate (E211) - Preservative
Quinoline yellow (E104) - Food colouring
Allura red AC (E129) - Orange / red food dye^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]

On 10 April 2008, the Foods Standard Agency called for a voluntary removal of the colours (but not sodium benzoate) by 2009.^[7] In addition, it recommended that there should be action to phase them out in food and drink in the European Union (EU) over a specified period.^[8]

The EFSA (European Food Standards Agency) has found the results of the Southampton study to be ambiguous and inconclusive and recommends no changes to current EU regulations pending results of further well designed testing of colorants.^{[citation needed]}