Tag: Azorubine

The E122 food additive, also known as Azorubine or Carmoisine, is a synthetic red colorant chemically derived from coal tar, not from natural sources. This manufacturing process makes it a member of the azo dye family, which is widely used to color foods and other products.

As of early 2025, several synthetic food dyes, including E122, are facing heightened scrutiny or outright bans across the globe. This has led many consumers to question the status of specific additives, such as the red dye E122, in the American food supply. The critical takeaway is that E122 is indeed banned for use in food products within the United States.

Food color 122, also identified as Carmoisine or E122, is a synthetic red azo dye initially derived from coal tar. Its primary active ingredient is a complex disodium salt, with additional components such as sodium chloride and sodium sulfate also present.

Food coloring code 122 is a synthetic red azo dye known as Azorubine or Carmoisine, with an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of up to 4 mg/kg body weight set by the World Health Organization. This widespread additive is prized for its coloring stability in processed foods, but its safety has prompted varying regulations and consumer warnings across different countries.

According to the Food Standards Agency, some artificial food colors, including INS 110 and INS 122, have been linked to increased hyperactivity in some children. So, what is INS 110 and 122? These are synthetic azo dyes used to color a wide range of processed foods, but they carry distinct properties and potential health considerations.

According to the World Health Organization, the food additive E122, a synthetic red colorant, has an acceptable daily intake of 0–4 mg/kg. This complex substance represents one of the most prominent meanings of what is color 122, a term that, without context, can also refer to a specific shade of gray in digital design or a unique hue in a paint manufacturer's catalog.