| Allura Red AC | |
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disodium 6-hydroxy-5-((2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfophenyl)azo)-2-naphthalenesulfonate |
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Other names
Allura Red, Food Red 17, C.I. 16035, FD&C Red 40, E129, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid disodium salt |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 25956-17-6 |
| PubChem | 6093299 |
| ChemSpider | 11588224 |
| UNII | WZB9127XOA |
| Jmol-3D images | Image 1 |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C18H14N2Na2O8S2 |
| Molar mass | 496.42 g mol−1 |
| Appearance | dark red powder |
| Melting point |
>300°C |
| (verify) (what is: /?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
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| Infobox references | |
Allura Red AC is a red azo dye that goes by several names including: Allura Red, Food Red 17, C.I. 16035, FD&C Red 40,[1][2] 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 6-hydroxy-5-((2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfophenyl)azo)-, disodium salt, and disodium 6-hydroxy-5-((2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfophenyl)azo)-2-naphthalenesulfonate. It is used as a food dye and has the E number E129. Allura Red AC was originally introduced in the United States as a replacement for the use of amaranth as a food coloring.
It has the appearance of a dark red powder. It usually comes as a sodium salt, but can also be used as both calcium and potassium salts. It is soluble in water; in solution, its maximum absorbance lies at about 504 nm. Its melting point is at >300 degrees Celsius.
Allura Red AC is one of many High Production Volume Chemicals.
Red AC was originally manufactured from coal tar, but is now mostly made from petroleum. Despite the popular misconception, Allura Red AC is not derived from any insect, unlike the food colouring carmine, which is derived from the female cochineal insect.
Related dyes include Sunset Yellow FCF, Scarlet GN, tartrazine, and Orange B.
Contents |
Allura Red AC has fewer health risks associated with it in comparison to other azo dyes. However, some studies have found some adverse health effects that may be associated with the dye.
A 2007 report from Southampton University questioned the safety of azo food dyes in three year old and 8-9 year old children. [3] In a 2006 report, the authors had noted it was difficult to eliminate all these dyes without causing nutritional deficiencies.[4]
In response, on 6 September 2007, the British Food Standards Agency revised advice on certain artificial food additives, including E129.
Professor Stevenson, a co-author of both reports, 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:
The study found increased levels of hyperactivity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children consuming the chemicals.[6][7] Based on the study, the UK agency advises that cutting certain artificial colors (Sunset Yellow, Carmoisine, Tartrazine, Ponceau 4R, Quinoline Yellow WS, and Allura Red) from hyperactive children's diets might have some beneficial effects.[7]
On 10 April 2008, the Foods Standard Agency called for a voluntary removal of the colors (but not sodium benzoate) by 2009.[8] In addition, it recommended there should be action to phase them out in food and drink in the European Union (EU) over a specified period.[9] The European Food Safety Authority was requested by the UK FSA to review the study, however, and concluded the study provided only limited evidence for a small, statistically significant effect. On the basis of this, EFSA concluded the acceptable daily intake of the colors analyzed in the Southampton study did not need to be altered.
UK ministers have agreed that the six colorings will be phased out by 2009.[10]
In Europe, Allura Red AC is not recommended for consumption by children. It is banned in Denmark, Belgium, France and Switzerland, and was also banned in Sweden until the country joined the European Union in 1994.[11] The European Union approves Allura Red AC as a food colorant, but EU countries' local laws banning food colorants are preserved.[12] In Norway, it was banned between 1978 and 2001, a period in which azo dyes were only legally used in alcoholic beverages and some fish products.[13]
In the United States, Allura Red AC is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in cosmetics, drugs, and food. It is used in some tattoo inks and is used in many products, such as soft drinks, children's medications, and cotton candy. On June 30, 2010, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) called for the FDA to ban Red 40. Executive Director Michael Jacobson said, "These synthetic chemicals do absolutely nothing to improve the nutritional quality or safety of foods, but trigger behavior problems in children and, possibly, cancer in anybody."[14]