What E124 actually is
Ponceau 4R gives the strawberry red in sweets, desserts, and tinned fruit. Its alternative name, Cochineal Red A, is a persistent source of confusion because it suggests an insect origin it does not have. It is entirely synthetic.
What it is made from
Synthesised from petrochemical feedstock. The Cochineal Red A name refers to the shade it imitates, not to its source.
Vegan, vegetarian, and halal status
Ponceau 4R is fully synthetic and suits vegan, vegetarian, halal, and kosher diets. The Cochineal Red A label name misleads people into thinking otherwise, so it is worth knowing the two are unrelated.
Is E124 safe?
One of the Southampton Six, so EU and UK products containing it must warn that it may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. EFSA set an acceptable daily intake of 0.7 mg per kg of body weight per day, the lowest of the six, and noted that high-level consumers including children could exceed it. It is not permitted in the United States or Norway.
- Mandatory EU and UK warning about activity and attention in children
- Lowest acceptable daily intake of the Southampton Six, and EFSA flagged that high consumers may exceed it
- Not permitted in the United States
- Intolerance reported in people with aspirin sensitivity or asthma
Where regulators stand
- EFSA (EU)
- Acceptable daily intake of 0.7 mg per kg of body weight per day, with a noted risk that high consumers exceed it. Mandatory activity and attention warning.
- FDA (US)
- Not approved as a colour additive for food use.
Foods it turns up in
- Sweets, jelly, and desserts
- Tinned strawberries and fruit preparations
- Salami and some processed meats
- Soft drinks and squash
Names it hides behind
- E124
- Ponceau 4R
- Cochineal Red A
- New Coccine
- Colour (E124)
Common questions
- Is Cochineal Red A made from insects?
- No. Despite the name, Ponceau 4R is entirely synthetic. Actual insect-derived red is carmine, E120, which is a different additive.
- Is Ponceau 4R vegan and halal?
- Yes. It is synthetic with no animal-derived input, and the misleading Cochineal Red A name is the only reason this gets asked.
- Why is it not used in the US?
- It has never been approved there as a food colour, so American products use a different red.
- Why does EFSA single this one out?
- It has the lowest acceptable daily intake of the six warning colours, and EFSA noted that high-level consumers, particularly children, could exceed it.
- What does the warning on the pack mean?
- It states the product may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children, which the EU requires on any food containing one of the Southampton Six.
Checking a real pack
This page answers the code. The pack in your hand is what decides, because the same code can come from different sources depending on the manufacturer. LabelWise, formerly SafeChoice, scans the label and explains what is in front of you.
LabelWise content is educational and describes how additives are made, regulated, and labelled. It is not medical, dietary, or religious advice. For certification questions, the mark on the pack and the certifying body are the authority.