Artificial additives
E124 (Ponceau 4R)
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
- e124
Regulation
Regulatory status
- European Union Warning label required
- Japan Restricted
- United States Restricted
Explainer
In plain language
E124, also called Ponceau 4R or cochineal red A, is a synthetic azo dye that produces a bright red color. Like other azo dyes it is made from petroleum-derived raw materials and is used purely for appearance. It is authorized in the EU and various other markets but is not among the color additives approved for general food use in the United States.
Assessment
Why it is flagged
E124 was among the synthetic colors examined in the 2007 Southampton study in The Lancet, which associated dye mixtures with increased hyperactivity in some children from the general population. On that basis the EU requires most foods containing E124 to carry the warning 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'. EFSA re-evaluated Ponceau 4R and set an acceptable daily intake while keeping it authorized. These findings are group-level associations with clear variation between individuals, so Clear Label flags E124 for transparency and as a pattern to test in your own logs, not as a declaration of harm to everyone.
In the aisle
Where it commonly shows up
- Candy and sweets
- Red-colored drinks and syrups
- Dessert mixes and jellies
- Canned fruit and fruit fillings
- Some sausages and imitation seafood
- Imported packaged snacks
Practical
Reading the label
In the EU and many other markets it is listed as E124, Ponceau 4R, or cochineal red A. It is not the same as natural cochineal or carmine from insects despite the similar name. Because it is not authorized for general use in US foods, imported European products are the most common place to find it.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid it
Some people choose products colored with beet juice, paprika extract, or fruit-derived anthocyanins instead. Checking whether a domestic version of an imported product uses a natural color is often a quick comparison.
FAQ
Common questions
Is E124 the same as carmine or cochineal?
No. E124, or Ponceau 4R, is a synthetic azo dye despite the alternate name cochineal red A. Natural carmine and cochineal extract are separate colorants made from insects and carry their own labels.
Is E124 allowed in the United States?
Ponceau 4R is not among the color additives authorized for general food use in the US, so it mostly appears in imported products. It is permitted in the EU with a mandatory child-activity warning.
Does E124 cause hyperactivity?
The Southampton study associated mixtures of dyes, including E124, with increased hyperactivity in some children, not all. Sensitivity varies, so it is a pattern worth tracking in your own food and behavior logs rather than an established effect for everyone.
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.