Allura Red AC

Red 40E 160aCI 16035

Food Coloring

Red 40 is a synthetic food dye used to give foods and drinks a red or orange color. It's often used in candies, baked goods, and soft drinks.

What it is

Red 40 is a synthetic azo dye, a type of chemical compound that absorbs light and gives off a red color.

Found in

candies, baked goods, soft drinks, energy drinks, and some medications

The concern

Some studies have linked Red 40 to hyperactivity in children, but the evidence is not conclusive.

Legal status

Approved for use in foods and cosmetics in the US and EU, but some countries have banned its use due to concerns over hyperactivity.

Moderate Concern

Some studies have linked Red 40 to hyperactivity in children, but the evidence is not conclusive, and the FDA has not banned its use.

Evidence & sources

Ingredy hides weak or off-topic source cards instead of filling this section with weak matches.

Authority source

FDA assessment

Article / explainer

No highly relevant article explainer found yet.

Video explainer

No highly relevant video explainer found yet.

Community questions

Community discussions are not used as safety evidence and no highly relevant discussion is shown for this ingredient.