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E129 Allura Red AC is a synthetic food coloring agent with a bright red hue, commonly used in a variety of food and drink products such as candies, soft drinks, and processed foods.
It is often chosen for its vibrant color and ability to retain its stability under various conditions.
CAS Number: 25956-17-6
Synonyms:Allura Red,Allura Red AC,CI Food Red 17,FD&C Red 40 (in the United States)
E129 (in Europe),CI 16035
Introduction to E129 (Allura Red AC)
Definition and General Description:
Allura Red AC (E129) is a synthetic azo dye used primarily as a food colorant in various products. It belongs to the class of synthetic dyes and imparts a red color to food and beverages.
Allura Red is characterized by its vibrant red hue and is often compared to other red dyes like E110 (Sunset Yellow) or E122 (Carmoisine).
Chemical composition: Allura Red AC is derived from a family of azo dyes that contain a benzene ring structure connected to a nitrogen-nitrogen double bond (azo group).
History of Its Development and Use:
Introduced as a replacement for older synthetic dyes, Allura Red gained popularity in the late 20th century as demand for red food colors grew.
It was initially approved for use in food and cosmetics by various food safety regulatory agencies worldwide.
Chemical Properties of E129
Molecular Structure:
The molecular structure of Allura Red AC is a typical azo dye, containing an azo group (-N=N-) that connects two aromatic rings.
The dye is water-soluble and forms a red hue in solution due to its chromophoric structure.
The structure allows it to interact with various substrates, such as proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides, which is why it is so effective in food and cosmetic applications.
Chemical Formula and Composition:
Chemical formula: C18H14N2Na2O8S2
Molar mass: 496.43 g/mol
Allura Red consists of a sodium salt of 1-(4-sulfophenyl)-3-(4-sulfonatophenyl)-2-pyrazoline-5-one.
Physical Properties:
It appears as a dark red to orange crystalline powder.
Solubility: It is soluble in water, making it easy to dissolve into food and beverages.
Stability: Allura Red is stable under normal conditions of use, but it can degrade when exposed to light, heat, or acidic environments.
pH Sensitivity: The dye's color intensity may vary depending on the pH of the solution, though it is typically stable in the pH range of 4-7.
Production of E129
Raw Materials Used:
The primary raw materials for the production of Allura Red include aromatic compounds (such as 4-aminoazobenzene), sulfamic acid, and sulfuric acid.
These materials undergo chemical reactions that result in the synthesis of the azo dye.
Manufacturing Process:
The synthesis of Allura Red involves a diazotization reaction, a common process for azo dye production.
The reaction involves coupling a diazonium salt with an aromatic amine to form the final red product.
The process typically includes several steps, such as diazotization, coupling, neutralization, and isolation of the final dye.
Quality Control Measures in Production:
Production must adhere to strict quality control standards to ensure that the final product meets safety and quality regulations.
Testing involves checking for contaminants, verifying the chemical purity of the dye, and ensuring the stability of the product during storage.
Applications of E129
Use in Food Products:
Allura Red is widely used in a variety of food products, including soft drinks, confectionery, ice creams, dairy products, and snack foods.
It is primarily used to enhance the visual appeal of these products by imparting a vibrant red hue.
It is also commonly found in products like sauces, jams, candies, and ready-to-eat meals.
Uses in Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals, and Other Industries:
Beyond food, Allura Red is used in cosmetics (lipsticks, face powders, shampoos) and pharmaceuticals (tablets, syrups). It provides aesthetic appeal to consumer goods.
The dye is also used in textiles and printing, where its strong color intensity is advantageous for fabrics and paper products.
Other Practical Applications:
Allura Red is employed in non-food sectors such as textile dyeing, plastics, and even in some industrial processes where color is needed for functional or aesthetic purposes.
Regulatory Status of E129
Approval by Regulatory Agencies:
In the European Union, Allura Red is approved for use under the code E129 and has been deemed safe for consumption within prescribed limits.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also permits its use in food and cosmetics.
However, there are limits on the quantities used depending on the type of food product.
Other countries, such as Canada and Australia, have similarly approved its use, though with varying restrictions.
Labeling Requirements:
In many regions, food products containing Allura Red must include a warning label that indicates the potential adverse effects of the dye, particularly in sensitive individuals.
For instance, the EU requires foods containing E129 to carry the label "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."
Restrictions on Use in Different Countries:
Some countries have placed limits or outright bans on the use of Allura Red, particularly for children’s food products, due to concerns about its potential effects on hyperactivity and ADHD.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT E 129 ALLURA REJECTION
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
