Artificial additives
E122 (azorubine)
Definition
What it is
Artificial synthetic dye: linked to hyperactivity in children; requires mandatory warning label in the EU. The FDA is currently reviewing authorization following California's 2023 ban of several dyes in school foods.
On the label
How it appears on labels
- e122
Regulation
Regulatory status
- European Union Warning label required
- Japan Restricted
- United States Restricted
Explainer
In plain language
E122, also called azorubine or carmoisine, is a synthetic azo dye that gives foods a red to maroon color. It is made from petroleum-derived raw materials and does one job: appearance. It is used in Europe and several other markets but is not among the color additives authorized for general food use in the United States.
Assessment
Why it is flagged
E122 was one of the six colors examined in the 2007 Southampton study published in The Lancet, which associated mixtures of synthetic dyes with increased hyperactivity in some children from the general population. On that evidence the EU requires most foods containing E122 to carry the warning 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'. EFSA reviewed azorubine and set an acceptable daily intake while permitting continued use. These are group-level associations and sensitivity varies from child to child, so Clear Label flags E122 for transparency and to help you test behavior patterns in your own logs, not to declare harm to everyone.
In the aisle
Where it commonly shows up
- Candy and sweets
- Red or berry-flavored drinks and syrups
- Jellies, jams, and dessert mixes
- Flavored yogurts and dairy desserts
- Marzipan and confectionery coatings
- Some sauces and packaged snacks
Practical
Reading the label
In the EU and many other markets it appears as E122, azorubine, or carmoisine. Because it is not authorized for general use in US foods, you are most likely to meet it in imported European products, so imported candy and drinks are worth a closer look.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid it
Some people choose products colored with beet juice, anthocyanins from fruit, or paprika extract instead. Comparing an imported version of a product with a domestic reformulation sometimes reveals a natural-color option.
FAQ
Common questions
Is E122 allowed in the United States?
Azorubine is not among the color additives authorized for general food use in the US, so you are most likely to encounter it in imported products. It is permitted in the EU and other markets with a mandatory child-activity warning.
Does E122 affect every child?
No. The Southampton trial observed effects in some children, not all, and individual sensitivity varies. Logging foods and behavior over time is the honest way to see whether it matters in your household.
Why does the EU require a warning label?
After the 2007 Southampton study associated mixtures of synthetic dyes with hyperactivity in some children, the EU required foods containing several of these colors, including E122, to carry a warning about possible effects on children's activity and attention.
Citations
Sources
Citation
Primary reference
About this page: the definition, label names, severity, and regulatory chips come from the clearlabel ingredient taxonomy, the same data the scanner uses to score products. Research summaries describe associations reported in published studies, not diagnoses; individual responses vary. Scan any product with clearlabel to see which of its ingredients carry flags.