E129 Allura red

Reason

Red No. 40 is labeled Mashbooh because while the pure synthetic dye is Halal, it may contain hidden carrier agents like glycerin from haram sources. Halal certification of the final product is required for certainty.

This reason is written in the database for the name “red #40”.

About E129

Number range

E100–E199: colours

Origin

Red No. 40 is a synthetic azo dye derived from petroleum-based chemicals or coal tar through chemical synthesis. It is not derived from natural plant, animal, or microbial sources. Historically, it was produced from by-products of coal processing, though modern production uses petroleum-based starting materials. The dye is entirely synthetic and does not contain animal-derived raw materials in its base chemical form.

Used in

• Foods
• Cake decorations
• Fun foods
• Beverages
• Confectionery
• Baked goods

Also called

Allura red ac; FD&C Red 40; FD and C Red 40; Red 40; Red no40; Red no. 40; FD and C Red no. 40; Food Red 17

What official sources say

• Since 20 July 2010, EU law has required food containing any of six colours to carry the statement “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”. The six are tartrazine (E102), quinoline yellow (E104), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), ponceau 4R (E124) and allura red (E129).

  Law European Union: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Article 24 and Annex V, 16 December 2008

• On 22 April 2025 HHS and FDA announced measures to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the US food supply, including working with industry to eliminate six of them (Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1 and Blue No. 2) by the end of the following year, 2026.

  Official position US Department of Health and Human Services: HHS, FDA to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in nation’s food supply, 22 April 2025