Artificial additives
Red 40 (Allura Red)
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
- red 40
- red no. 40
- allura red
- e129
Regulation
Regulatory status
- European Union Warning label required
- Japan Restricted
- United States Restricted
Explainer
In plain language
Red 40, also called Allura Red AC or E129, is a synthetic azo dye and the most heavily used artificial food color in the United States. It is manufactured from petroleum-derived raw materials and gives candy, drinks, cereals, and snacks a bright red to orange-red color. It does one job: appearance.
Assessment
Why it is flagged
A 2007 randomized trial published in The Lancet, often called the Southampton study, associated mixtures of synthetic food dyes with increased hyperactivity in some children from the general population. On that evidence the EU requires most foods containing Red 40 to carry the warning 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'. A 2021 review by California's environmental health agency likewise concluded that synthetic food dyes are associated with adverse neurobehavioral outcomes in some children. These are group-level associations, and sensitivity clearly varies from child to child, which is why Clear Label flags Red 40 for transparency rather than declaring it harmful to everyone.
In the aisle
Where it commonly shows up
- Candy and gummies
- Red or orange sodas and sports drinks
- Brightly colored breakfast cereals
- Flavored snack chips
- Frosting, cake mixes, and maraschino cherries
- Some chewable medications and gummy vitamins
Practical
Reading the label
US labels list it as Red 40, FD&C Red No. 40, or Allura Red. In the EU it appears as E129. It also turns up in foods that are not visibly red, like brown sauces and chocolate-flavored products, where it corrects or deepens color.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid it
Some people choose products colored with beet juice, paprika extract, or annatto instead. Worth knowing: annatto is itself a low-severity Clear Label flag because of rare sensitivity reactions, so checking the label cuts both ways.
FAQ
Common questions
Is Red 40 banned in Europe?
No. Red 40 (E129) is permitted in the EU, but most products containing it must carry a child-activity warning label. That labeling rule pushed many European manufacturers to reformulate with natural colors, which is why the same brand can have different ingredients in the US and EU.
Does Red 40 affect every child?
No. The trials behind the EU warning observed effects in some children, not all, and individual sensitivity varies widely. Logging foods and behavior over time is the honest way to see whether it matters in your household.
Is Red 40 the same as Red 3?
No. Red 3 (erythrosine) is a different dye; the FDA revoked its authorization for foods in January 2025 after animal carcinogenicity findings. Red 40 remains authorized in the US.
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.