Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A)

E number E124INS 124CAS 2611-82-7

Listed as a colour by Codex and the EU.

Listed as colours (EU, Codex)
Chemical structure of Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A), from PubChem compound 17466
Structure from PubChem CID 17466 (National Library of Medicine, public domain). A depiction of one compound: where a listing covers a family, or a substance has no single structure, this page shows none.

Ponceau 4R is a synthetic red azo dye used in confectionery, desserts and preserved meats. It is one of the six colours required to carry the activity-and-attention warning in the EU.

Where it is and isn’t permitted

Status of Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A) by jurisdiction. Every jurisdiction this site covers is listed, including those where the substance does not appear.
JurisdictionStatusScope and limitsCitation
Australia and New ZealandFood Standards Australia New ZealandPermitted, with conditions

44 food categories

Show every food category
  • 0.2 ColouringsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 0.3 FlavouringsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 1.1.2 Liquid milk products and flavoured liquid milkAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 1.2.2 Fermented milk products and rennetted milk productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 1.3 Condensed milk and evaporated milkAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 1.4.2 Cream products (flavoured, whipped, thickened, sour cream etc)All colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 1.5 Dried milk, milk powder, cream powderAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 1.6 Cheese and cheese productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 11.1.1 Rainbow sugarAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 11.4 Tabletop sweetenersAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 12.1.2 Reduced sodium salt mixtureAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 12.1.3 Salt substituteAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 13.3 Formulated meal replacements and formulated supplementary foodsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 13.4 Formulated supplementary sports foodsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 13.5 Food for special medical purposesAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 14.1.1.2 Carbonated, mineralised and soda watersAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 14.1.2.1 Fruit and vegetable juicesFor juice separated by other than mechanical means only. All colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 14.1.2.2 Fruit and vegetable juice productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 14.1.3 Water based flavoured drinksAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 14.1.4 Formulated BeveragesAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 14.2.3 Wine based drinks and reduced alcohol winesAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 14.2.4.1 Fruit wine products and vegetable wine productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 14.2.5 Spirits and liqueursAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 14.3 Alcoholic beverages not included in item 14.2All colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 2.1 Edible oils essentially free of waterNot for olive oil. All colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 2.2.1.2 Butter productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 2.2.1.3 Margarine and similar productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 2.2.2 Oil emulsions (<80% oil)All colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 20 Foods not included in items 0 to 14All colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 3 Ice cream and edible icesAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 4.3 Processed fruits and vegetablesAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 5.1 Chocolate and cocoa productsPermitted on the surface of chocolate only. All colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 5.2 Sugar confectioneryAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 5.4 Icings and frostingsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 6.3 Processed cereal and meal productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 6.4 Flour products (including noodles and pasta)All colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 7 Breads and bakery productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 8.2 Processed meat, poultry and game products in whole cuts or piecesAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 8.3 Processed comminuted meat, poultry and game products, other than products listed in item 8.3.2Not for sausage or sausage meat containing raw, unprocessed meat. All colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 8.4 Edible casingsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 8.5 Animal protein productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 9.2 Processed fish and fish productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 9.3 Semi preserved fish and fish productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
  • 9.4 Fully preserved fish including canned fish productsAll colourings permitted to a maximum level together: no more than 70 mg/L in a beverage or 290 mg/kg in another food (Standard 1.3.1—4(3)).
Food Standards Code, Schedule 15, S15—5and 43 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-17
CanadaHealth CanadaNo listing matchedHealth Canada’s lists name additives without E or INS numbers, so this site matches them by exact name. A substance listed there under a name this site does not recognise has no row here.
European UnionEuropean Commission / EFSAPermitted, with conditions

27 food categories

highest permitted level 200 mg/l

Show every food category
  • 1.4 flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products — 5 mg/lML = 5 mg/l. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 1.6.3 other creams — 5 mg/kgML = 5 mg/kg. only flavoured creams. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 12.4 Mustard — 35 mg/kgML = 35 mg/kg. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 12.9 Protein products excluding products covered in category 1 8 — 10 mg/kgML = 10 mg/kg. only meat and fish analogues based on vegetable proteins. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 13.2 Foods for special medical purposes as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 (excluding products from food category 13.1.5.) — 10 mg/kgML = 10 mg/kg.
  • 13.3 Total diet replacement for weight control food as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 — 10 mg/kgML = 10 mg/kg.
  • 14.1.4 Flavoured_drinks — 10 mg/lML = 10 mg/l. excluding chocolate milk and malt products.
  • 14.2.4 Fruit wine and made wine — 1 mg/lML = 1 mg/l. excluding wino owocowe jakościowe. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 14.2.6 Spirit drinks as defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/787 — 170 mg/lML = 170 mg/l. except: spirit drinks as defined in categories 1-17, 22, 36, 37 and 41 of Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/787. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 14.2.7.1 Aromatised wines — 50 mg/lML = 50 mg/l. only americano, bitter vino. Note 26: In americano E 100, E 101, E 102, E 104, E 120, E 122, E 123, E 124 are authorised individually or in combination.
  • 14.2.7.2 Aromatised wine-based drinks — 50 mg/lML = 50 mg/l. only bitter soda. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 14.2.7.3 Aromatised wine-product cocktails — 50 mg/lML = 50 mg/l. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 14.2.8 Other alcoholic beverages including mixtures of alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beverages and other alcoholic beverages based on distilled alcohol with alcoholic strength by volume less than 15 % — 170 mg/lML = 170 mg/l. only alcoholic beverages with alcoholic strength by volume less than 15 %. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 16 Desserts excluding products covered in category 1 3 and 4 — 10 mg/kgML = 10 mg/kg. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 17.1 food supplements supplied in a solid form excluding food supplements for infants and young children’, — 35 mg/kgML = 35 mg/kg. Period of application: from 1 August 2014 except food supplements in chewable form. Note: (61) The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III (69) Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 150 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 17.1 food supplements supplied in a solid form excluding food supplements for infants and young children’, — 10 mg/kgML = 10 mg/kg. Period of application: from 1 August 2014 only food supplements in chewable form. Note: (61) The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III (69) Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 150 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 17.2 food supplements supplied in a liquid form excluding food supplements for Infants and young children — 10 mg/lML = 10 mg/l. Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note: (61) The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III (69) Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 150 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 18.2 Meal replacement for weight control as referred to in Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 — 10 mg/kgML = 10 mg/kg.
  • 4.2.4.1 fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote — 20 mg/kgML = 20 mg/kg. only mostarda di frutta. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 5.2 Other confectionery including breath freshening micro-sweets — 10 mg/kgML = 10 mg/kg. only candied fruit and vegetables. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 5.3 chewing gum — 10 mg/kgML = 10 mg/kg. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 5.4 Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit-based fillings covered by category 4.2.4 — 55 mg/kgML = 55 mg/kg. only decorations, coatings and sauces, except fillings. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 6.6 Batters — 55 mg/kgML = 55 mg/kg. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 8.3.1 Non-heat-treated processed meat — 50 mg/kgML = 50 mg/kg. only chorizo sausage/salchichon.
  • 8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat — 55 mg/kgML = 55 mg/kg. only decorations and coatings except edible external coating of pasturmas. Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 9.2 Processed fish and fishery products including molluscs and crustaceans — 200 mg/kgML = 200 mg/kg. only salmon substitutes based on Theragra chalcogramma, Pollachius virens and Clupea harengus. Note 63: The total quantity of E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 9.3 fish roe — 200 mg/kgML = 200 mg/kg. except Sturgeons' eggs (Caviar). Note 61: The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008and 26 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-18
Great BritainFood Standards Agency / Food Standards ScotlandPermitted, with conditions

25 food categories

highest permitted level 200 mg/kg or mg/l

Show every food category
  • 1.4 Flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products — 5 mg/kg or mg/lML = 5. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 1.6.3 Other creams — 5 mg/kg or mg/lML = 5. Only flavoured creams. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 12.4 Mustard — 35 mg/kg or mg/lML = 35. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 12.9 Protein products, excluding products covered in category 1.8 — 10 mg/kg or mg/lML = 10. only meat and fish analogues based on vegetable proteins. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 13.2 Dietary foods for special medical purposes defined in Directive 1999/21/EC (excluding products from food category 13.1.5) — 10 mg/kg or mg/lML = 10. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 13.3 Dietary foods for weight control diets intended to replace total daily food intake or an individual meal (the whole or part of the total daily diet) — 10 mg/kg or mg/lML = 10. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 14.1.4 Flavoured drinks — 10 mg/kg or mg/lML = 10. excluding chocolate milk and malt products. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 14.2.4 Fruit wine and made wine — 1 mg/kg or mg/lML = 1. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 14.2.6 Spirit drinks as defined in Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 — 170 mg/kg or mg/lML = 170. except: spirit drinks as defined in Article 5(1) and sales denominations listed in Annex II, paragraphs 1-14 of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 and spirits (preceded by the name of the fruit) obtained by maceration and distillation, Geist (with the name of the fruit or the raw material used), London Gin, Sambuca, Maraschino, Marrasquino or Maraskino and Mistrà. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 14.2.7.1 Aromatised wines — 50 mg/kg or mg/lML = 50. only americano, bitter vino. Note (26): In americano E 100, E 101, E 102, E 104, E 120, E 122, E 123, E 124 are authorised individually or in combination. Note (27): In bitter vino E 100, E 101, E 102, E 104, E 110, E 120, E 122, E 123, E 124, E 129 are authorised individually or in combination.
  • 14.2.7.2 Aromatised wine-based drinks — 50 mg/kg or mg/lML = 50. only bitter soda. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 14.2.7.3 Aromatised wine-product cocktails — 50 mg/kg or mg/lML = 50. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 14.2.8 Other alcoholic drinks including mixtures of alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks and spirits with less than 15 % of alcohol — 170 mg/kg or mg/lML = 170. only alcoholic drinks with less than 15 % of alcohol. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 16 Desserts excluding products covered in categories 1, 3 and 4 — 10 mg/kg or mg/lML = 10. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 17.1 Food supplements supplied in a solid form, excluding food supplements for infants and young children — several limits(1) ML 35: Period of application: from 1 August 2014 except food supplements in chewable form; (2) ML 10: Period of application: from 1 August 2014 only food supplements in chewable form. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III. Note (69): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 150 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 17.2 Food supplements supplied in a liquid form, excluding food supplements for infants and young children — 10 mg/kg or mg/lML = 10. Period of application: from 1 August 2014. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III. Note (69): Maximum limit for aluminium coming from all aluminium lakes 150 mg/kg. For the purposes of Article 22 (1) (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 that limit shall apply from 1 February 2013.
  • 4.2.4.1 Fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote — 20 mg/kg or mg/lML = 20. Only mostarda di frutta. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 5.2 Other confectionery including breath refreshening microsweets — several limits(1) ML 20: except candied fruit and vegetables; traditional sugar coated nut- or cocoa-based confectionery of almond shape or host shape, typically longer than 2 cm and typically consumed at celebratory occasions, i.e. weddings, communion, etc.; (2) ML 10: only candied fruit and vegetables; (3) ML 50: only traditional sugar coated nut- or cocoa-based confectionery of almond shape or host shape, typically longer than 2 cm and typically consumed at celebratory occasions, i.e. weddings, communion, etc. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 5.3 Chewing gum — 10 mg/kg or mg/lML = 10. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 5.4 Decorations, coatings and fillings, except fruit based fillings covered by category 4.2.4 — 55 mg/kg or mg/l(1) ML 55: only decorations, coatings and sauces, except fillings; (2) ML 55: only fillings. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 6.6 Batters — 55 mg/kg or mg/lML = 55. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 8.3.1 Non-heat-treated meat products — 50 mg/kg or mg/lML = 50. only chorizo sausage/salchichon.
  • 8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat — 55 mg/kg or mg/lML = 55. only decorations and coatings except edible external coating of pasturmas. Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 9.2 Processed fish and fishery products including mollusks and crustaceans — 200 mg/kg or mg/lML = 200. only salmon substitutes based on Theragra chalcogramma , Pollachius virens and Clupea harengus. Note (63): The total quantity of E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
  • 9.3 Fish roe — 200 mg/kg or mg/lML = 200. except Sturgeons’ eggs (Caviar). Note (61): The total quantity of E 104, E 110, E 124 and the colours in Group III shall not exceed the maximum listed for Group III.
Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008and 24 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-18
JapanConsumer Affairs AgencyNo listing matchedThis site imports only Japan’s list of designated additives (Appended Table 1 to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act), matched by English name. Existing additives, natural flavouring agents and ordinary foods used as additives are permitted outside that list and are not imported, so an empty row does not show that Japan does not permit the substance.
South KoreaMinistry of Food and Drug SafetyPermitted, with conditions
Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. …

Designated food additive: Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, Part III, 1. 일반식품첨가물 (general food additives), 식용색소적색제102호 (“Food Red No.102”, the English the Code prints beside it). Main use (주용도) of 식용색소적색제102호: 착색료. Standard for use (사용기준) of 식용색소적색제102호: (1) [may be used only in the foods listed; refers to another provision where it is used together with other additives; sets a limit on the amount used] “식용색소적색제102호는 아래의 식품에 한하여 사용하여야 한다. 다만, 다른 식용색소와 병용할 때에는 III. 1. 1) (4)의 규정에 따라 사용한다. 식용색소적색제102호의 사용량은 1. 과자(한과에 한함) : 0.2g/kg 이하 2. 추잉껌 : 0.3g/kg 이하 3. 떡류 : 0.05g/kg 이하 4. 만두류 : 0.5g/kg 이하 5. 기타 코코아가공품 : 0.3g/kg 이하 6. 소시지류 : 0.05g/kg 이하 7. 음료베이스 : 0.05g/kg 이하(다만, 희석하여 음용하는 제품에 있어서는 희석한 것으로서) 8. 향신료조제품[고추냉이(와사비)가공품 및 겨자가공품에 한함] : 0.5g/kg 이하 9. 젓갈류(명란젓에 한함) : 0.5g/kg 이하 10. 절임류(밀봉 및 가열살균 또는 멸균처리한 제품에 한함. 다만, 단무지는 제외) : 0.5g/kg 이하 11. 주류(탁주, 약주, 소주, 주정을 첨가하지 않은 청주 제외) : 0.2g/kg 이하 12. 두류가공품, 서류가공품 : 0.2g/kg 이하 13. 당류가공품 : 0.3g/kg 이하 14. 기타 수산물가공품, 기타가공품, 유함유가공품 : 0.5g/kg 이하 15. 건강기능식품(정제의 제피 또는 캡슐에 한함), 캡슐류 : 0.3g/kg 이하(색소의 사용량은 총 중량 기준으로 적용)” The Korean is the standard as published. There is no official English translation of the current Code (the English version on MFDS’s website is the 2020 edition and has no legal effect); the English in square brackets is this site’s description of what each sentence does, not a translation of the foods or the levels. Compositional specifications (Part IV) are not imported, nor are the general standards in Part II, which apply to every additive.

Standards and Specifications for Food Additives (식품첨가물의 기준 및 규격), MFDS Notification, Part III (Standards for use, by item)retrieved 2026-10-18
United StatesFood and Drug AdministrationNot listedDoes not appear on this jurisdiction’s permitted list. That is not the same as being prohibited.
Codex AlimentariusCodex Alimentarius Commission / JECFAPermitted, with conditions

50 food categories

highest permitted level 500 mg/kg

Show every food category and its notes
  • 01.1.4 Flavoured Fluid Milk Drinks — 150 mg/kg
    • Note 52 Excluding chocolate milk.
  • 01.6.2.2 Rind of ripened cheese — 100 mg/kg
  • 01.6.4.2 Flavoured processed cheese, including containing fruit, vegetables, meat, etc. — 100 mg/kg
  • 01.6.5 Cheese analogues — 100 mg/kg
    • Note 3 For use in surface treatment only.
  • 01.7 Dairy-based desserts (e.g. pudding, fruit or flavoured yoghurt) — 150 mg/kg
  • 02.4 Fat-based desserts excluding dairy-based dessert products of food category 01.7 — 50 mg/kg
  • 03.0 Edible ices, including sherbet and sorbet — 50 mg/kg
  • 04.1.2.11 Fruit fillings for pastries — 50 mg/kg
  • 04.1.2.4 Canned or bottled (pasteurized) fruit — 300 mg/kg
    • Note 104 Excluding canned pears (except for use in special holiday packs) and canned pineapples conforming to the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits (CODEX STAN 319-2015).
    • Note 673 For use with red fruits and in canned Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) only.
    • Note XS17 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for canned applesauce (CXS 17-1981).
    • Note XS242 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for canned stone fruits (CXS 242-2003).
    • Note XS254 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for certain canned citrus fruits (CXS 254-2007).
    • Note XS361 Excluding products conforming to the General standard for canned mixed fruits (CXS 361-2020).
  • 04.1.2.5 — 200 mg/kg
    • Note 679 Except for use at 100 mg/kg in products conforming to the Standard for jams, jellies and marmalades (CXS 296-2009).
  • 04.1.2.6 Fruit-based spreads (e.g. chutney) excluding products of food category — 100 mg/kg
    • Note XS160 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Mango Chutney (CODEX STAN 160-1987).
    • Note 674 Except for use in spreads containing strawberry at 400 mg/kg.
  • 04.1.2.7 Candied fruit — 200 mg/kg
  • 04.1.2.8 Fruit preparations, including pulp, purees, fruit toppings and coconut milk — 50 mg/kg
    • Note XS240 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Aqueous Coconut Products (CODEX STAN 240-2003).
    • Note XS314R Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Date Paste (CODEX STAN 314R-2013).
  • 04.1.2.9 Fruit-based desserts, incl. fruit-flavoured water-based desserts — 50 mg/kg
  • 04.2.2.7 Fermented vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera) and seaweed products, excluding fermented soybean products of food categories 06.8.6, 06.8.7, 12.9.1, — 100 mg/kg
    • Note XS38 Excluding products conforming to the General Standard for Edible Fungi and Fungus Products (CODEX STAN 38-1981).
    • Note XS151 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Gari (CXS 151-1985).
    • Note XS223 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Kimchi (CXS 223-2001).
    • Note XS294 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Gochujang (CXS 294-2009).
  • 05.1.4 Cocoa and chocolate products — 300 mg/kg
    • Note 183 For use in surface decoration only.
  • 05.1.5 Imitation chocolate, chocolate substitute products — 50 mg/kg
  • 05.2 Confectionery including hard and soft candy, nougats, etc. other than food categories 05.1, 05.3, and 05.4 — 100 mg/kg
    • Note XS309R Excluding products conforming to the Codex Regional Standard for Halawa Tehenia (CODEX STAN 309R-211).
  • 05.3 Chewing gum — 300 mg/kg
  • 05.4 Decorations (e.g. for fine bakery wares), toppings (non-fruit), and sweet sauces — 50 mg/kg
  • 06.5 Cereal and starch based desserts (e.g. rice pudding, tapioca pudding) — 50 mg/kg
  • 06.8.1 Soybean-based beverages — 10 mg/kg
    • Note XS322R Excluding products conforming to the Regional Standard for Non-Fermented Soybean Products (Asia) (CXS 322R-2015).
  • 07.2 Fine bakery wares (sweet, salty, savoury) and mixes — 50 mg/kg
  • 08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings) — 500 mg/kg
    • Note 365 On a casings basis.
  • 09.2.1 Frozen fish, fish fillets, and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — 30 mg/kg
    • Note 395 For use in heat-treated products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Shrimps and Prawns (CODEX STAN 92-1981).
    • Note XS36 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Finfish, Uneviscerated and Eviscerated (CODEX STAN 36-1981).
    • Note XS95 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Lobsters (CODEX STAN 95-1981).
    • Note XS165 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Blocks of Fish Fillet, Minced Fish Flesh and Mixtures of Fillets and Minced Fish Flesh (CODEX STAN 165-1989).
    • Note XS190 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Fillets (CODEX STAN 190-1995).
    • Note XS191 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Raw Squid (CODEX STAN 191-1995).
    • Note XS292 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Live and Raw Bivalve Molluscs (CODEX STAN 292-2008).
    • Note XS312 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Live Abalone and for Raw Fresh Chilled or Frozen Abalone for Direct Consumption or for Further Processing (CODEX STAN 312-2013).
    • Note XS315 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fresh and Quick Frozen Raw Scallop Products (CODEX STAN 315-2014).
  • 09.2.2 Frozen battered fish, fish fillets and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — 500 mg/kg
    • Note 16 For use in glaze, coatings or decorations for fruit, vegetables, meat or fish only.
    • Note 95 For non-standardized foods: for use in surimi and fish roe products only.
    • Note XS166 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Quick Frozen Fish Sticks (Fish Fingers), Fish Portions and Fish Fillets – Breaded or in Batter (CODEX STAN 166-1989).
  • 09.2.3 Frozen minced and creamed fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — 500 mg/kg
    • Note 16 For use in glaze, coatings or decorations for fruit, vegetables, meat or fish only.
    • Note 95 For non-standardized foods: for use in surimi and fish roe products only.
  • 09.2.4.1 Cooked fish and fish products — 500 mg/kg
    • Note 95 For non-standardized foods: for use in surimi and fish roe products only.
  • 09.2.4.2 Cooked molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — 250 mg/kg
  • 09.2.5 Smoked, dried, fermented, and/or salted fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — 100 mg/kg
    • Note 22 For use in smoked fish paste only.
    • Note XS167 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Salted Fish and Dried Salted Fish of the Gadidae Family of Fishes (CODEX STAN 167-1989).
    • Note XS189 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Dried Shark Fins (CODEX STAN 189-1993).
    • Note XS222 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Crackers from Marine and Freshwater Fish, Crustaceans and Molluscan Shellfish (CODEX STAN 222-2001).
    • Note XS236 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Boiled Dried Salted Anchovies (CODEX STAN 236-2003).
    • Note XS244 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Salted Atlantic Herring and Salted Sprat (CODEX STAN 244-2004).
    • Note XS311 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Smoked Fish, Smoked-flavoured Fish and Smoke-dried Fish (CODEX STAN 311-2013).
  • 09.3.3 Salmon substitutes, caviar and other fish roe products — 500 mg/kg
    • Note XS291 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Sturgeon Caviar (CODEX STAN 291-2010).
  • 09.3.4 Semi-preserved fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms (e.g. fish paste), excluding products of food categories 09.3.1 - 09.3.3 — 100 mg/kg
  • 09.4 Fully preserved, including canned or fermented fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms — 500 mg/kg
    • Note 435 For use of tartrazine (INS 102), sunset yellow FCF (INS 110), amaranth (INS 123) and ponceau 4R (cochineal red A) (INS 124) singly or in combination up to a maximum level of 30 mg/kg in the final product as colours only for the purpose of restoring colour lost in processing for products conforming to the Standard for Canned Shrimps or Prawns (CODEX STAN 37-1991).
    • Note XS3 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Salmon (CODEX STAN 3-1981).
    • Note XS70 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Tuna and Bonito (70-1981).
    • Note XS90 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Crab Meat (CODEX STAN 90-1981).
    • Note XS94 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Sardines and Sardine-Type Products (CODEX STAN 94-1981).
    • Note XS119 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Finfish (CODEX STAN 119-1981).
  • 10.1 Fresh eggs — 500 mg/kg
    • Note 4 For use in decoration, stamping, marking or branding the product only.
  • 10.4 Egg-based desserts (e.g. custard) — 50 mg/kg
  • 11.4 Other sugars and syrups (e.g. xylose, maple syrup, sugar toppings) — 300 mg/kg
    • Note 159 For use in pancake syrup and maple syrup only.
  • 12.2.2 Seasonings and condiments — 500 mg/kg
  • 12.4 Mustards — 300 mg/kg
  • 12.5 Soups and broths — 50 mg/kg
  • 12.6 Sauces and like products — 50 mg/kg
    • Note XS302 Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fish Sauce (CODEX STAN 302-2011).
  • 12.7 Salads (e.g. macaroni salad, potato salad) and sandwich spreads excluding cocoa-and nut-based spreads of food categories 04.2.2.5 and 05.1.3 — 200 mg/kg
  • 13.3 Dietetic foods intended for special medical purposes (excluding products of food category 13.1) — 50 mg/kg
    • Note 566 Excluding products conforming to the Guidelines for Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (CXG 95-2022).
  • 13.4 Dietetic formulae for slimming purposes and weight reduction — 50 mg/kg
  • 13.5 Dietetic foods (e.g. supplementary foods for dietary use) excluding products of food categories — 300 mg/kg
  • 13.6 Food supplements — 300 mg/kg
  • 14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including "sport," “energy,” or "electrolyte" drinks and particulated drinks — 50 mg/kg
  • 14.2.6 Distilled spirituous beverages containing more than 15% alcohol — 200 mg/kg
  • 14.2.7 Aromatized alcoholic beverages (e.g. beer, wine and spirituous cooler-type beverages, low-alcoholic refreshers) — 200 mg/kg
  • 15.1 Snacks - potato, cereal, flour or starch based (from roots and tubers, pulses and legumes) — 200 mg/kg
  • 15.2 Processed nuts, including coated nuts and nut mixtures (with e.g. dried fruit) — 100 mg/kg
CXS 192-1995 Table One, INS 124and 49 further provisionsretrieved 2026-09-07

How much is permitted

A listing usually limits the quantity as well as the food. Only one of the forms that takes is a figure: quantum satis and good manufacturing practice permit the amount the technological effect requires and no more, which is a limit rather than the absence of one. Figures below are the range across every food category this page is listed in, and categories differ between regulators — see how much is permitted.

Australia and New Zealand—44 no quantity stated
European Union1 mg/kg – 200 mg/kg27 numeric limit
Great Britain1 mg/kg – 200 mg/kg23 numeric limit, 2 several limits
South Korea—1 no quantity stated
Codex Alimentarius10 mg/kg – 500 mg/kg50 numeric limit

What a label must say

Words a food containing Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A) is obliged to carry, quoted from the instrument that imposes them. A required statement is a fact about the regulation, not a finding about the substance — every rule below applies where the additive is authorised.

Every rule collected at what a label must say.

What it is made from

Synthesised from petroleum-derived aromatic intermediates by diazotisation and coupling. Its alternative name, Cochineal Red A, is misleading: it contains nothing derived from cochineal insects and is suitable for a vegan diet.

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian

Compare other additives on the dietary indexes.

CAS registry number
2611-82-7
InChIKey
SWGJCIMEBVHMTA-UHFFFAOYSA-K
PubChem
CID 17466

The two specifications, compared

The European Union sets identity and purity by regulation; JECFA publishes its own through FAO, advisory until a country adopts it. Both documents are below in full. These are the parameters each puts a number on.

ParameterEuropean UnionJECFA
Assayno less than 80 %no less than 80 %
Loss on drying—no more than 20 %
Leadno more than 2 mg/kgno more than 2 mg/kg
Arsenicno more than 3 mg/kg—
Mercuryno more than 1 mg/kg—
Cadmiumno more than 1 mg/kg—

The two documents state the same figures for every parameter compared here.

How the EU defines it

The legal specification an additive must meet to be sold as this E number in the EU — what it is, how it may be made, and the purity it must reach. From Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.

E 124 Ponceau 4r, cochineal red a

Ponceau 4R consists essentially of trisodium 2-hydroxy-1-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo) naphthalene-6,8-disulfonate and subsidiary colouring matters together with sodium chloride and/or sodium sulphate as the principal uncoloured components. Ponceau 4R is manufactured by coupling diazotized naphthionic acid to G acid (2-naphthol-6,8- disulphonic acid) and converting the coupling product to the trisodium salt. Ponceau 4R is described as the sodium salt. The calcium and the potassium salt are also permitted.

Synonyms: CI Food Red 7; New Coccine

Assay, identification and purity criteria

Description and assay

Colour Index No
16255
Einecs
220-036-2
Chemical name
Trisodium 2-hydroxy-1-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo) naphthalene-6,8-disulfonate
Chemical formula
C₂₀H₁₁N₂Na₃O₁₀S₃
Molecular weight
604,48
Assay
Content not less than 80 % total colouring matters, calculated as the sodium salt. [image] 430 at ca. 505 nm in aqueous solution
Description
Reddish powder or granules
Appearance of the aqueous solution
Red

Identification

Spectrometry
Maximum in water at ca. 505 nm

Purity criteria

Water insoluble matter
Not more than 0,2 %
Subsidiary colouring matters
Not more than 1,0 %
4-aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid
[image] | Total not more than 0,5 % 7-hydroxynaphthalene-1,3-disulfonic acid 3-hydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid 7-hydroxynaphthalene-1,3-6-trisulfonic acid
Unsulfonated primary aromatic amines
Not more than 0,01 % (calculated as aniline)
Ether extractable matter
Not more than 0,2 % under neutral conditions
Arsenic
Not more than 3 mg/kg
Lead
Not more than 2 mg/kg
Mercury
Not more than 1 mg/kg
Cadmium
Not more than 1 mg/kg

Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, Annex, E 124

How JECFA defines it

The international specification for identity and purity, prepared by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and published by FAO. It is a different document from any above, written by a different body and revised on its own cycle; it is advisory, and a country adopts it or does not.

INS 124 Ponceau 4R

Ponceau 4R consists essentially of trisodium 2-hydroxy-1-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo)-6,8-naphthalenedisulfonate, and subsidiary colouring matters together with sodium chloride and/or sodium sulfate as the principal uncoloured components. May be converted to the corresponding aluminium lake, in which case only the General Specifications for Aluminium Lakes of Colouring Matters apply.

Synonyms: CI Food Red 7; Cochineal Red A; New Coccine; Brilliant Scarlet; CI (1975) No. 16255; INS No. 124

Assay, identification and purity criteria

Description and assay

Specification history
Prepared at the 74 th JECFA (2011) and published in FAO JECFA Monographs 11 (2011), superseding specifications prepared at the 28 th JECFA (1984), published in the Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications, FAO JECFA Monographs 1 (2005). An ADI of 0-4 mg/kg bw was established at the 27 th JECFA (1983) and maintained at the 74 th JECFA (2011).
Chemical names
Trisodium 2-hydroxy-1-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo)-6,8-naphthalenedisulfonate
C.A.S. number
2611-82-7
Chemical formula
C20H11N2Na3O10S3
Formula weight
604.48
Assay
Not less than 80% total colouring matters
DESCRIPTION
Reddish powder or granules
FUNCTIONAL USES
Colour
METHOD OF ASSAY
Proceed as directed under Colouring Matters Content by Titration with Titanous Chloride in Volume 4 (under “Specific Methods, Food Colours) , using the following: Weight of sample: 0.7-0.8 g Buffer: 10 g sodium citrate Weight (D) of colouring matters equivalent to 1.00 ml of 0.1 N TiCl3: 0.01511 g

Identification

Solubility (Vol. 4)
Soluble in water; sparingly soluble in ethanol
Spectrophotometry
Maximum wave length: Between 505 and 510 nm Determine the UV-visible absorption spectrum of the sample solution dissolved in 0.02 mol/l ammonium acetate.

Purity criteria

Loss on drying (Vol. 4)
Not more than 20% at 135° together with chloride and sulfate calculated as sodium salts Determine using Loss on Drying under “GENERAL METHODS”, Chloride as Sodium Chloride and Sulfate as Sodium Sulfate under “SPECIFIC METHODS, Food Colours” in Volume 4.
Water-insoluble matter (Vol. 4)
Not more than 0.2%
Subsidiary colouring matters
Not more than 1% See description under TESTS
Organic compounds other than colouring matters (Vol. 4)
Not more than 0.5% of sum of 4-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 7-hydroxy-1,3-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 3-hydroxy-2,7-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, and 7-hydroxy-1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonic acid. (See Volume 4 under “SPECIFIC METHODS, Food Colours”) Proceed as directed under Determination by High Performance Liquid Chromatography using the conditions of Subsidiary colouring matters except detector wavelength (238 nm).
Unsulfonated primary aromatic amines (Vol. 4)
Not more than 0.01% calculated as aniline (See Volume 4 under “SPECIFIC METHODS, Food Colours”)
Ether-extractable matter (Vol. 4)
Not more than 0.2% (See Volume 4 under “SPECIFIC METHODS, Food Colours, Method II”) Use 2 g of sample for the test.
Lead (Vol. 4)
Not more than 2 mg/kg Determine using an AAS/ICP-AES technique appropriate to the specified level. The selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may be based on the principles of the method described in Volume 4 (under “General Methods, Metallic Impurities”).
Test: Subsidiary colouring matters
Determine by HPLC using the following conditions: Chromatography conditions - HPLC system with a UV/VIS detector or a diode array detector - Detector wavelength: 510 nm - Column: C18 on silica gel (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) - Mobile phase: solvent A: 0.02 mol/l ammonium acetate and solvent B: acetonitrile:water (7:3 v/v) - Gradient elution: A:B 100:0 v/v to A:B 40:60 v/v (0-30 min); hold at A:B 40:60 v/v (30-35 min). - Column temperature: 40° - Flow rate: 1.0 ml/min Procedure Accurately weigh 10 mg of the sample into a 100-ml volumetric flask. Dissolve and make to volume with 0.02 mol/l ammonium acetate. Filter through a 0.45 μ m membrane filter. Inject 20 μ l of the sample solution into HPLC. Calculation Calculate the percentage of subsidiary colouring matters from; ⎛ A total − A main ⎞ Subsidiary colouring matters (%) = ⎜ ⎜ ⎟ ⎟ × D × 100 ⎝ A total ⎠ where D is the total colouring matters content of sample (%); Atotal is the sum of the area of all the peaks in the chromatogram between 2 and 40 min; and Amain is the area of main peak.

FAO JECFA Monograph 11 (2011)

Every name it appears under

94 recorded names. A label may use any of them.

E number

  • E124

INS number

  • 124

CAS registry number

  • 2611-82-7

As it appears in regulation

  • Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A

Other names

  • Acid Brilliant Scarlet 3R
  • Acid Ponceau 4R
  • Acid red 18
  • Acid Scarlet 3R
  • Acid Scarlet 3RZ
  • Acid Scarlet 4R
  • Acilan Scarlet V3R
  • Atul Acid Scarlet 3R
  • Atul Scarlet F
  • Brilliant Ponceau 3R
  • Brilliant Ponceau 4R
  • Brilliant Ponceau 5R
  • Brilliant Scarlet
  • Brilliant Scarlet 3R
  • Brilliant Scarlet 4R
  • C.I. Acid Red 18
  • C.I. Acid Red 18 (VAN)
  • C.I. Acid Red 18, Trisodium Salt
  • C.I. Acid Red 28
  • Certicol Ponceau 4RS
  • CI Food Red 14
  • Cilefa Ponceau 4R
  • Coccin Red
  • Coccine
  • Cochineal Red 4R
  • Cochineal Red A
  • Colacid Ponceau 4R
  • Curol Bright Red 4R
  • Edicol Supra Ponceau 4RS
  • Edicol Supra Ponceaux 4 RS
  • Fenazo Scarlet 3R
  • Food Red 102
  • Food Red 7
  • Food Red No. 102
  • Food Red Number 102
  • HD Ponceau 4R
  • Hexacol Ponceau 4R
  • Java Scarlet 3R
  • Kiton Scarlet 4R
  • Naphthalene Ink Scarlet 4R
  • Neklacid Red 3R
  • Neklacid Red 4R
  • Neucoccin
  • New Coccin
  • New coccine
  • Ponceau 4R
  • PONCEAU 4R (COCHINEAL RED A)
  • Ponceau 4RC
  • Ponceau 4RE
  • Ponceau 4RE.FQ
  • Ponceau 4RF
  • Ponceau 4RT
  • Pontacyl Scarlet RR
  • Purple Red
  • Scarlet 4R
  • Scarlet 4RA
  • Schultz Nr. 213
  • Strawberry Red
  • SX Purple
  • Victoria Scarlet 3R
  • Victoria Scarlet Red

Systematic names

  • Trisodium (8Z)-7-oxo-8-[(4-sulfonatonaphthalen-1-yl)hydrazinylidene]naphthalene-1,3-disulfonate

The EU re-evaluation programme

Every additive authorised in the EU before 20 January 2009 was put back through EFSA by Commission Regulation (EU) No 257/2010, and this one is named in it. What the Regulation required is below; whether the opinion has since been published is not something this site records.

  • Already re-evaluated when the programme began. Listed in Annex I as “Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A”, against the words “Re-evaluation completed on 23 September 2009”, and therefore not re-evaluated again under it.

Hazard reference values

The two committees set different figures. EFSA's acceptable daily intake is 0.7 mg/kg bw/day; JECFA's is 4 mg/kg bw/day (2011). An acceptable daily intake is a reference value set by a committee, not a threshold above which harm begins. The lower figure is not a finding that the other body was wrong: the two work to different terms of reference, on their own timetables, and sometimes from different data. This site states both and chooses between them nowhere. See where the two committees differ.

Values set by assessing bodies. A body that has not set a value is not listed here.
TypeValuePopulationAssessed byOpinion
ADI4 mg/kg bw/day—JECFA2011
ADI0.7 mg/kg bw/dayconsumersEFSAnot identified in the dataset

Evidence and how bodies read it

Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

McCann D, Barrett A, Cooper A, Crumpler D, Dalen L, Grimshaw K, et al.. The Lancet. 2007 doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61306-3

Design
RCT
Model
human
Dose
Two mixtures of four synthetic colours plus sodium benzoate, at doses chosen to reflect typical UK intakes, given in a drink; challenge and placebo periods.
Endpoint
Global hyperactivity aggregate, combining teacher and parent ratings with a computerised attention test.
Funding
UK Food Standards Agency

What it found. Reported a small increase in the composite hyperactivity measure in 3-year-olds and 8/9-year-olds during the additive-challenge periods compared with placebo. The authors described the effects as modest and variable between individuals.

Limitations. The additives were given as mixtures, so the result cannot be attributed to any single colour or to the benzoate. Effect sizes were small relative to the spread between children, adherence differed between age groups, and the trial measured behaviour over short challenge periods rather than long-term outcomes.

How different bodies read the evidence

Each conclusion is paraphrased in the body's own framing, from the published opinion linked beneath it. Where bodies differ, both stand; this site does not adjudicate between them or add a view of its own.

  1. EFSA 2015

    In a refined exposure assessment carried out after the European Commission withdrew or reduced many maximum permitted levels for Ponceau 4R (E 124) from 2013, EFSA found that none of the exposure estimates exceeded the ADI of 0.7 mg/kg bw/day in any population group.

    Source document

  2. EFSA 2009

    The ANS Panel re-evaluated Ponceau 4R (E 124) and, on the basis of kidney effects in a long-term mouse study (NOAEL 70 mg/kg bw/day), lowered the ADI from 4 to 0.7 mg/kg bw/day. It concluded that at maximum levels of use, intake estimates for high-consuming adults and for children aged 1–10 were generally above this ADI.

    Source document

  3. EFSA 2008

    Judged the trial to provide limited evidence of a small effect on activity and attention in some children, but held that the mixtures tested did not allow any effect to be attributed to an individual additive, and that the findings did not warrant changing the acceptable daily intakes.

    Action taken: Left intake limits unchanged

    Source document

  4. European Union (legislature) 2008

    Took the same evidence as grounds for a consumer-information measure rather than a change in permitted levels, requiring foods containing these colours to carry the statement that they 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'.

    Action taken: Imposed a mandatory warning statement while leaving the additives authorised

    Source document

Common questions

Assembled from what is above, in the words the questions are usually asked in. Each answer is the same statement the relevant section makes, with the same citations behind it.

What is E 124?
E 124 is Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A). Ponceau 4R is a synthetic red azo dye used in confectionery, desserts and preserved meats. It is one of the six colours required to carry the activity-and-attention warning in the EU.
What is Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A) used for in food?
It is listed as a colour — the role Codex and the EU assign it. This page shows every function each regulator records, with the citation for each.
Where is Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A) permitted?
Of the seven regulators this site reads, Australia and New Zealand, the EU, Great Britain, South Korea and the Codex standard permit it. Each permission is for named foods at named levels, not a blanket one; the table on this page gives them with citations.
Is Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A) vegan?
Yes. Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A) is not derived from animals, and is suitable for vegetarians. This page says what it is made from and how.

Sources for this page

  • anz retrieved 2026-10-17
  • eu retrieved 2026-10-18
  • gb retrieved 2026-10-18
  • kr retrieved 2026-10-18
  • gsfa retrieved 2026-09-07
  • euspecs retrieved 2026-10-18
  • jecfaspecs retrieved 2026-09-23

Full licence terms and publisher details on Sources. How this page is built and updated: Method.

Machine-readable: a JSON record of this additive is given on request —how to ask for access.

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