Allura Red (Molecule of the Month for September 2007)
E129, Food Red 17, C.I. 16035,
Allura Red AC is a red azo dye that is used as a food dye and has the E number E129. It has the appearance of a dark red powder.
In Europe, Allura Red AC is not recommended for consumption by children. It is banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and Austria. In the United States, Allura Red AC is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in cosmetics, drugs, and food. It is used in some tattoo inks and is used in many products, such as orange soda.
A study commissioned by the UK's Food Standards Agency found that when used in a mixture of other preservatives, increased levels of hyperactivity in children were observed
Formal Chemical Name (IUPAC)
disodium (E)-6-hydroxy-5-((2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfonatophenyl)diazenyl)naphthalene-2-sulfonate
References
click on the picture of Allura Red above to interact
with the 3D model of the
Allura Red structure
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C18 H14 N2 Na2 O8 S2
Update by Karl Harrison
(Molecule of the Month for
September 2007
)
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