Red 40 (Allura Red AC)

Also known as: Allura Red AC, E129, FD&C Red No. 40

Moderate concernunder our published method

By NordicScan Evidence Engine · generated from structured evidence records · source spans verified by automated gates · Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · how we score.

What it is

Red 40, also called Allura Red AC or E129, is a synthetic red food colour used in drinks, sweets, cereals and baked goods. It is one of the most widely used food dyes in North America.

Why people ask

Red 40 is one of the most-searched food additives, and shoppers ask why Europe puts a warning on the label while North America does not.

What our method flags — by use

Food · US

In US food, our method rates Red 40 as moderate-concern: it is a listed colour additive, but our method carries the behaviour signal seen in trials of colour mixtures.

The US lists Red 40 (FD&C Red No. 40) as a batch-certified colour additive under 21 CFR 74.340.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
US FDA	The US lists Red 40 (FD&C Red No. 40) as a batch-certified colour additive under 21 CFR 74.340.	authority_regulatory	2024-01-01	source
McCann et al., The Lancet (Southampton study)	In a randomised trial of additive mixtures, mixtures that included Allura Red AC were associated with increased hyperactive behaviour in some children (EFSA assessed the evidence as limited; the mixtures contained several additives, so the effect is not established for the dye alone).	correlation / C2	2007-11-03	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Fair (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

Food · EU

In EU food, our method also rates Red 40 as moderate-concern, and the EU adds a mandatory on-pack activity-and-attention warning that North America does not require.

The EU restricted the labelling of foods containing Allura Red AC (E129): Regulation (EC) 1333/2008 requires the statement that it may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
European Commission	The EU restricted the labelling of foods containing Allura Red AC (E129): Regulation (EC) 1333/2008 requires the statement that it may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.	authority_regulatory	2010-07-20	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Limited (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

How this moves a product’s score

On a product's score, Red 40 contributes a moderate concern signal under our method in both markets; the EU labelling requirement is reported as an added regulatory signal, not as a stronger verdict.

Nordic Scan provides ingredient information and a concern score under our published method, for general consumer research. It is not medical advice and not a medical device, and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or determine the safety of any product. Decide for yourself.

Common questions

Is Red 40 banned in Europe?: No. The EU permits Red 40 but requires an activity-and-attention warning on the label; the ingredient is reported per market in the evidence table above.

This is what Red 40 (Allura Red AC) is. What’s in the products you buy? Scan a label and see the concern signals our method flags. Get the app.

Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · Sources checked 2026-07-08 · See how we score.