Additive guide
E129 Allura Redwhat it means on a food label
The most-used red azo dye and one of the Southampton six. Berry Pure flags additives like this during a scan so you can decide faster at the shelf.
Berry Pure verdict
Best avoided
E129 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 E129 or Allura Red on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
Usually found in
Red drinks, sweets, snacks
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:
- E129
- Allura Red
- Red 40
The evidence record
EFSA re-evaluated allura red AC in 2009 and concluded the data did not justify changing the ADI of 7 mg per kg of body weight per day. The panel noted an in vivo comet assay showing DNA migration in the gut but judged that, given negative in vitro genotoxicity and carcinogenicity results, it was not expected to be carcinogenic. Allura red was one of the six colours in the 2007 Southampton study linked to small increases in children's hyperactivity, a signal EFSA again described as limited rather than conclusive.
Allura red is one of the most widely used red dyes, appearing in soft drinks, sweets, cereals, snacks, and desserts, so children are a significant exposure group. EFSA's refined assessments found intakes generally within the ADI. In the EU it must carry the Southampton attention-and-activity warning, which encouraged reformulation. In the US it remains approved as Red 40, the most common food dye by volume, but is included in the April 2025 federal plan to phase out petroleum-based dyes by the end of 2026.
Acceptable daily intake
7 mg per kg of body weight per day (EFSA, 2009; retained from earlier JECFA and SCF evaluations)
Regulatory status
Permitted in the EU under Regulation EC 1333/2008 and one of the Southampton six, so it carries the child activity-and-attention warning. Approved in the US as FD&C Red No. 40, but the April 2025 HHS and FDA plan targets it for removal from the food supply by the end of 2026.
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 E129 Allura Red?
E129 is Allura Red, a colour used in foods such as red drinks, sweets, snacks. The most-used red azo dye and one of the Southampton six.
Is E129 bad for you?
E129 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 E129 or Allura Red on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
How do I spot E129 on a label?
Look for these label names: E129, Allura Red, Red 40. Some products spell out the additive name instead of using the E-number code.
Can Berry Pure flag E129?
Yes. Berry Pure scans ingredient labels with your camera and flags additives like E129 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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