Additive guide
E124 Ponceau 4Rwhat it means on a food label
Southampton six azo dye. Not permitted in food in the US. Berry Pure flags additives like this during a scan so you can decide faster at the shelf.
Berry Pure verdict
Best avoided
E124 is on Berry Pure's best-avoided list because the evidence record includes a ban, warning-label requirement, regulatory action, or a consistent health concern. The practical move is simple: if you see E124 or Ponceau 4R on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
Usually found in
Tinned fruit, jelly, salami casing
If these are regular buys in your kitchen, scan a few brands side by side. Additive use can vary a lot between similar products.
Additive family
Colour
Dyes and pigments that change how food looks.
How to spot it on a label
Manufacturers may use the E-number code, the full additive name, or a common alternative name. These are the label terms to check:
- E124
- Ponceau 4R
The evidence record
In 2009 EFSA lowered the ADI for ponceau 4R from 4 to 0.7 mg per kg of body weight per day, deriving it from a long-term mouse study showing kidney effects with a no-observed-adverse-effect level of 70 mg per kg and a 100-fold margin. The dye was negative in genotoxicity and long-term carcinogenicity tests. Ponceau 4R was one of the six colours in the 2007 Southampton study associated with small hyperactivity increases in children, a finding EFSA described as limited rather than establishing causation for the individual additive.
Ponceau 4R provides a red colour in European soft drinks, sweets, and desserts, with children a notable exposure group. Refined EFSA exposure work found intakes generally within the reduced ADI. Because it is one of the Southampton six, EU products must carry the activity-and-attention warning, which encouraged reformulation toward natural colours. The additive has never been approved for food use in the United States, so American consumers do not encounter it in domestically sold food products.
Acceptable daily intake
0.7 mg per kg of body weight per day (EFSA, 2009), lowered from the previous 4 mg per kg of body weight per day
Regulatory status
Permitted in the EU under Regulation EC 1333/2008 and one of the Southampton six, carrying the child activity-and-attention warning. Not approved for use in food in the United States.
Related additives
Same family, similar label context, or the same Berry Pure verdict.
Frequently askedquestions
Everything you need to know about scanning your food with Berry Pure.
What is E124 Ponceau 4R?
E124 is Ponceau 4R, a colour used in foods such as tinned fruit, jelly, salami casing. Southampton six azo dye. Not permitted in food in the US.
Is E124 bad for you?
E124 is on Berry Pure's best-avoided list because the evidence record includes a ban, warning-label requirement, regulatory action, or a consistent health concern. The practical move is simple: if you see E124 or Ponceau 4R on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
How do I spot E124 on a label?
Look for these label names: E124, Ponceau 4R. Some products spell out the additive name instead of using the E-number code.
Can Berry Pure flag E124?
Yes. Berry Pure scans ingredient labels with your camera and flags additives like E124 so you do not have to memorize code numbers while shopping.
Sources
The claims on this page are based on these publications.
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