E124 - What is really behind cochineal red A?

When red is not always red - A bright red with a bitter aftertaste

Red is the colour of love, of passion - and in the case of E124 Unfortunately, it is also a source of controversy. Cochineal red A, as the colourant is correctly called, is a synthetic azo dye pigment that gives many foods a strong, almost bright red colour.

Sounds harmless? Unfortunately not. Anyone who takes a closer look at the matter soon realises that behind the radiant hue lies a substance that has been criticised - and for good reason.

Where is E124 in it?

E124 is mainly used when bright and colourful colours are required - in other words, wherever colour is intended to stimulate the appetite or symbolise certain flavours. You will find cochineal red A particularly frequently in the following product groups:

• Sweets: Fruit gums, chewy sweets, lollipops, dragées or gummy bears with strawberry, cherry or raspberry flavour. Many of these products are marketed specifically to children - a double reason for caution.
• Desserts: Ready-made fruit puddings, red jelly, instant dessert powder or "colourful" yoghurts with fruit preparations.
• Drinks: Lemonades, fruit juice drinks, energy drinks or so-called children's fruit teas with a striking red colour - especially in light or zero variants.
• Baked goods: Decorations such as red icing, colourful sugar sprinkles, cherry cake fillings or ready-made decorative items for cakes.
• Finished products: Red instant soups (e.g. tomato soup), Asian noodle dishes, or even condiments and ketchups with a striking colour.
• Sausage and meat substitute: Some types of sausage, e.g. certain cooked sausages or sausages, contain E124 to optimise their colour - especially those that are supposed to look "extra nice and red". It is also sometimes added to vegan meat substitutes.

What many people don't realise: E124 can also be found as a colouring agent in medicines, food supplements or toothpaste for children - although it plays no role there in purely functional terms.

The more colourful and artificial a product looks, the greater the likelihood that it contains a colourant such as E124. It is worth taking a look at the list of ingredients.

How is E124 actually produced?

Cochineal red A may sound like it comes from an exotic fruit - but in reality, this colourant is produced in a chemical laboratory. It is produced artificially from crude oil. Yes, you read that correctly: Crude oil is the starting material.

In a multi-stage process, a colourless liquid called aniline is first extracted from the crude oil. This is then mixed with other chemical substances, combined with each other - and the end result is a bright red dye. Sounds technical? It is.

This can result in undesirable residues - for example, so-called aromatic amines or even traces of heavy metals, which are considered harmful to health under certain circumstances. Although there are strict legal limits, the mere idea that a colouring in food is made from crude oil makes many people (quite rightly) feel uneasy.

Of course there's another way, isn't there?

The problem with azo dyes

E124 is particularly controversial because of its possible effects on health - especially in children and sensitive people.

The dye belongs to the group of azo dyes, some of which are known to trigger so-called pseudo-allergic reactions. These are symptoms that feel similar to classic allergies, but without the immune system being involved. Those affected report:

• Skin rashes or itching,
• Asthma attacks or shortness of breath,
• and Digestive problems such as nausea or abdominal pain.

Children, people with food intolerances or existing asthma often react particularly sensitively.

And there's more: a highly regarded study by the British Food Standards Agency (FSA) has found evidence that certain colourings - including E124 - in combination with the preservative sodium benzoate (E211) can lead to increased agitation and reduced concentration in children. This finding was so relevant that the European Union issued a clear response:

Labelling has been mandatory since then. All foods containing E124 must be labelled:

"May impair activity and attention in children."

This warning is required by law. And this fact alone raises a legitimate question: Do we really want substances in our food that need a warning?

Why E124 has no place in organic products

Good news: E124 is taboo in organic products.
The EU Organic Regulation excludes the use of this colouring agent - and deliberately so. Organic food should be as natural as possible. Additives such as cochineal red A do not fit into this concept.

At bleibwacker, we go one step further: we not only avoid conventional additives - but also those that are used in organic products. actually allowed would be. Because our motto is:
Only what belongs inside. Honesty in every bite.

Are there alternatives to E124?

Oh yes - and they are even really tasty! Instead of relying on chemical red colouring, many manufacturers use natural colourings from beetroot, redcurrants or hibiscus. These are not only harmless, but often also contain valuable plant substances.

And the best thing? They taste the way food should taste: Honest. Natural. Unadulterated.

Conclusion: Better without - for body and mind

E124 is a prime example of the extent to which food is manipulated by additives - at the expense of our health. But if you like it colourful, you don't have to do without colour: Natural alternatives make food not only more beautiful, but also healthier.

So keep an eye out when shopping - and take a closer look at the ingredients list. Or make it easy for yourself: go straight for our products where you know that only what belongs inside. Here you'll find sweet snacks like the Raspberry almond barwhich is completely free from E124 despite its wonderful red colour.

Sources:

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) (2009): Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Ponceau 4R (E 124) as a food additive. In: EFSA Journal7(11), p. 1328. Available online at: https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1328 [Accessed on 27 May 2025].

Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) (2008): Hyperactivity and additives - is there a connection?. Statement No. 013/2008 of the BfR of 28 February 2008. available online at: https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/hyperaktivitaet_und_zusatzstoffe_gibt_es_einen_zusammenhang.pdf [Accessed on 27 May 2025].

Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU) (2023): When food influences behaviour. In: uni timeNo. 112, 09.12.2023. Available online at: https://www.uni-kiel.de/ps/cgi-bin/unizeit/index.php?bid=350802 [Accessed on 27 May 2025].