| Additive Summary | Ponceau 4R (E124) |
|---|---|
| Essence | Ponceau 4R or E124 is a synthetic azo dye (artificial color) used for the purpose of achieving strawberry red color. |
| Names | Ponceau 4R, E124, Cochineal Red A, Food Red 7, CI 16255, CI Acid Red 18, New Coccine, Brilliant Scarlet 3R, Brilliant Scarlet 4R, and others. |
| Sourcing | It’s fully synthetically made. It’s typically prepared from 4-aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid. |
| Manufacturing | To create Ponceau 4R, 4-aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid is first transformed to a diazo compound (most likely with the help of hydrochloric acid and sodium nitrite). This is then combined with 2-naphthol-6,8-disulphonic acid, also known as G acid. Whereas the resulting product is converted to a trisodium salt. |
| Application | Coloring (red, very water-soluble). |
| Acceptable Daily Intake | Depending on the agency, the acceptable daily intake differs. The more cautious approach stipulates 0.7 milligrams on every kilogram of body weight, whereas others allow for up to 4 milligrams. But regardless of that belief, both numbers are void of reality. In a perfect world, we shouldn’t ever consume it. |
| Side Effects | Ponceau 4R (E124) has been linked to various cancers, obsessive-compulsive disorder, hyperactivity, irritability, asthma, as well as it can damage the brain (neurotoxin) among creating other problems. Thought to be even more detrimental to asthmatics. |
| Benefits | None. |
| Studies | 160+ studies on Pubmed. 15+ studies on safety. |
| Allergens | None. |
| Diet Restrictions | None. |
| Assessment (As An Additive) |
Seriously Harmful. | Category 5 Additive. |
| Products | Not very common in supplements. Never used as the beneficial (active) ingredient. Can’t be found naturally in foods. Used in processed foods like sweets, all kinds of beverages, ice cream, canned fruits, desserts, pudding, cakes, curd, and others. |
