Ponceau 4R

A synthetic bright strawberry-red water-soluble azo dye. Chemically the trisodium salt of 7-hydroxy-8-(4-sulfo-1-naphthylazo)-1,3-naphthalenedisulfonate, listed in the EU as E124. Also known as Cochineal Red A despite having no relation to natural cochineal.

Bright red to deep strawberry-red free-flowing fine powder. Water-soluble in the dye form, with the corresponding aluminum lake produced for fat-based and tablet-coating applications.

We supply food-grade Ponceau 4R from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production. Both the soluble dye and the aluminum lake are produced. Buyers should verify destination market regulatory status, as the dye is not approved for food use in the United States or Norway.

Common market grades are sold by dye content: pure dye at minimum 80 percent total coloring matter and aluminum lake at 10 percent to 40 percent dye content.

Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering total dye content, subsidiary colors, uncombined intermediates, heavy metals, and microbiology.

Ponceau 4R was developed in the late nineteenth century and approved for food use in Europe through the twentieth century. It remains a permitted synthetic red in the EU, UK, Australia, and many Commonwealth and Middle Eastern markets, but is not approved for food use in the United States or Norway.

Production proceeds by diazotization of 4-aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid, coupling with 7-hydroxy-1,3-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, and isolation as the trisodium salt. The crude dye is purified by recrystallization and standardized to declared total coloring matter content.

Regulated as E124 in the EU and approved by JECFA with an Acceptable Daily Intake of 4 mg per kg body weight. In the EU, products containing Ponceau 4R must carry the Southampton-related child-activity warning. JECFA reduced the ADI in 2011 following review of toxicological data.

Technical performance is excellent: stable through baking, retort, UHT, and pasteurization, broad pH compatibility from 3 to 9, excellent light stability, and compatibility with most food ingredients.

Strategically, Ponceau 4R is the third major synthetic red in the EU and adjacent markets after Allura Red and Carmoisine, with reformulation activity following the same pattern as the other azo reds: replacement through Anthocyanin, Beetroot Red, and Carmine depending on application matrix.

• Soft drinks, juice drinks, and powdered drink mixes
• Sugar confectionery, gummies, and hard candies in strawberry shades
• Surimi and seafood analogs in EU markets
• Dessert mixes, jellies, and instant puddings
• Bakery products including sponge cakes and decorative icings
• Ice cream and frozen dairy desserts
• Pet food positioned for visual appeal in EU markets
• Pharmaceutical tablets, capsules, and syrups
• Cosmetics and personal-care preparations