E124 — Ponceau 4R
Why it’s used
A synthetic strawberry-red azo dye used in the EU, Asia, and Australia to color desserts, sauces, and confectionery; not approved for food use in the US.
Other names
Cochineal Red A, C.I. Food Red 7, C.I. 16255
Diet flags
Regulatory status
Not listed among FDA-certified or exempt color additives for food; Ponceau 4R has never been approved for US food use. Source (2026-07-23)
Authorised EU-wide as E124 within specified food categories and maximum levels, but foods containing it must carry the label warning that it may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. Source (2026-07-23)
Regulatory status by region
The FDA has never authorised Ponceau 4R for any food use in the US. The EU permits it EU-wide subject to a mandatory hyperactivity warning label — a genuine authorization gap.
Ponceau 4R is one of the 'Southampton Six' colors; the EU responded with a mandatory warning label rather than a ban, while the US has simply never authorised the dye.
Found in these products
None of the products in our database currently contain E124.