Color Additive · CAS 25956-17-6 · EU E129
Red 40 (Allura Red)
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. 1 U.S. state regulates it.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Red 40 (Allura Red) is FDA-approved, though 1 U.S. state has enacted independent regulation on it, a sign federal and state views on this additive diverge. Its composite safety score is 2 out of 5 (Caution), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #324 of 417; among state-regulated additives it ranks #6 of 8.
- #324 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
- #6 of 8 among state-regulated additives
The verdict
According to state food-safety statutes PlainIngredients tracks, Red 40 (Allura Red) ranks #6 of 8 among additives with at least one U.S. state regulation (most-regulated first). By Open Food Facts product count it sits #324 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (20th percentile).
- 2/5
- Caution
- #6 of 8
- state-ban corpus rank
- #324 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 1
- state regulation
State-action and regulatory snapshot
Red 40 (Allura Red): 1 independent U.S. state statute sit beside the federal row, start there, then FDA/EU.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. State Actions | 1 state · #6 of 8 | State legislative records |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E129 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 25956-17-6 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Color Additive | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 2 / 5 (Caution) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| Tracked Products | 3 | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Red 40 (Allura Red)?
Most widely used food dye in the US. Petroleum-derived synthetic color.
Health Concerns
- Studies link to hyperactivity in children. FDA phaseout announced by end of 2027.
Common Uses
Regulatory Timeline
FDA announced phaseout of all 6 petroleum-based food dyes by end of 2027.
State Regulations
| State | Status | Effective Date | Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Warning Required | 2028-01-01 | AB 2316 |
State-action peer axes
Nationwide peers beside 1 state statute
State-action mass (1 statutes) frames safety-score peers (2/5); product-count column omitted on state-action-led pages.
Same 2/5 score, different state-action mass
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red 40 (Allura Red) safe to consume?
Red 40 (Allura Red) scores 2/5 (Caution). FDA status is Approved, yet 1 U.S. state regulates it on their own statutes, that state-action gap is the lead signal here, not the federal label alone.
What is Red 40 (Allura Red) used for in food?
Red 40 (Allura Red) is used as Beverages, candy, cereal, snacks, condiments (Color Additive). State statutes (1) matter more for this additive than the use list alone.
Where does Red 40 (Allura Red) sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one U.S. state regulation, Red 40 (Allura Red) ranks #6 of 8 by the number of distinct states regulating it (same sort as the state-ban rankings page). Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #324 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
Is Red 40 (Allura Red) banned in any US states?
Yes, Red 40 (Allura Red) is regulated in 1 US state: California. Regulations vary from full bans to restrictions on specific uses.
What health concerns are associated with Red 40 (Allura Red)?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Red 40 (Allura Red): Studies link to hyperactivity in children. FDA phaseout announced by end of 2027.. These findings inform its safety score of 2/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.