Germany and France have already banned it. What about Poland? Here's the solution at your fingertips.
Author: KKR • Source: Rynek Zdrowia • Published: August 14, 2025 10:00
Allura Red AC (E129) is an intense red synthetic dye found in carbonated drinks, jellies, desserts, medicines, and cosmetics. Although its use is permitted within certain limits in the EU, it has been banned in Norway and Switzerland due to its potential health effects.
Doz.pl explains that Allura Red is an organic dye of synthetic origin and is used to obtain the red color of selected products. This dye can be found in food products as E129, and in cosmetics as Allura Red or CI 16035.
Allura red in solutions ranges in color from red to brown. This red dye is most commonly used in the food industry. E129 can be found in:
- confectionery products (sugar pastes, icings, decorations, jams, fruit jellies),
- candy,
- yogurts,
- ready-made desserts,
- sauces and dips,
- alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages,
- juices and nectars,
- meat and meat products.
In the pharmaceutical industry, allura red is used as an excipient in the production of syrups or to color the outer coatings of drugs and dietary supplements sold in the form of dragees or capsules.
E129 is used for coloring:
- personal hygiene products (shower gels or shampoos),
- colored cosmetics intended for make-up,
- hair dyes,
- tattoo pigments.
Since allura red is approved for use in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, this dye is relatively safe. However, as Doz.pl reminds us, it may cause side effects.
In this case, it can exacerbate symptoms of salicylate intolerance or asthma. Interestingly, depending on the source, it is considered a carcinogen or described as non-carcinogenic.
E129 is also one of four red dyes that, when combined with the preservative E211 (sodium benzoate), can cause hyperactivity in children. This has led to E129 being banned from food production in countries like France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland. In many countries, products containing this dye must carry a warning on the label about the potential negative impact on children's activity and attention, according to Doz.pl.
It can also cause hay fever, cough, concentration problems, and - as some studies show - in extreme cases - increase the risk of cancer.
Maximum contents of allura red in food products according to EFSA guidelines:
- non-alcoholic beverages up to 100 mg/L,
- alcoholic beverages up to 200 mg/L,
- canned meat up to 25 mg/kg,
- processed cheese, salty snacks, smoked fish up to 100 mg/kg,
- ice cream and dairy desserts up to 150 mg/kg,
- confectionery up to 200 mg/kg,
- sauces, dips up to 500 mg/kg.
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