Ponceau 4R 2428392 222322270 2008-06-28T18:40:37Z VolkovBot 3035831 robot Adding: [[sv:Nykockin]] [[Image:Ponceau 4R.png|thumb|200px|right|Ponceau 4R]] '''Ponceau 4R''' (also known as '''Food Red 7''', '''C.I. 16255''', '''Cochineal Red A''', '''New Coccine''', '''Acid Red 18''', '''SX purple''') is a [[Chemical synthesis|synthetic]] colourant that may be added to foods to induce a colour change. It is denoted by [[E Number]] E124, and has the capacity for inducing an [[allergic reaction]]. Its chemical name is trisodium salt of 1-(4-sulpho-1-napthylazo)- 2-napthol- 6,8-disulphonic acid. Ponceau 4R is a red [[azo dye]] usually synthesized from [[coal tar]] which can be used in a variety of food products. == Health effects == Because it is an azo dye, it may elicit intolerance in people allergic to [[salicylate]]s ([[aspirin]]). Additionally, it is a [[histamine]] liberator, and may intensify symptoms of [[asthma]]. Ponceau 4R is considered [[carcinogen]]ic in some countries, including the [[USA]], [[Norway]], and [[Finland]], and it is currently listed as a banned substance by the U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA). [http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia4502.html] Since 2000, the FDA has seized Chinese-produced [[haw flakes]] (a fruit candy) on numerous occasions for containing Ponceau 4R.[http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ENFORCE/ENF00655.html] == Possible cause of hyperactivity == On [[6 September]] 2007, the British [[Food Standards Agency]] revised advice on certain artificial food additives, including E124. Professor Jim Stevenson from Southampton University, and author of the report, said: "This has been a major study investigating an important area of research. The results suggest that consumption of certain mixtures of artificial food colours and sodium benzoate preservative are associated with increases in hyperactive behaviour in children. "However, parents should not think that simply taking these additives out of food will prevent hyperactive disorders. We know that many other influences are at work but this at least is one a child can avoid." The following additives were tested in the research: * Sunset yellow ([[E110]]) - Colouring found in squashes * Carmoisine ([[E122]]) - Red colouring in jellies * Tartrazine ([[E102]]) - New colouring in lollies, fizzy drinks * Ponceau 4R ([[E124]]) - Red colouring * Sodium benzoate ([[E211]]) - Preservative * Quinoline yellow (E104) - Food colouring * Allura red AC ([[E129]]) - Orange / red food dye<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6979976.stm Parents warned of additives link]</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/07/nfood107.xml Graham Tibbetts. "Artificial colourings as harmful as leaded petrol for children", ''Telegraph'', 7 April 2008]</ref><ref name="bbc-may8">"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6634071.stm Artificial food colouring warning]", ''BBC News'', May 8, 2007.</ref><ref name="guardian-may8">Felicity Lawrence, "[http://www.guardian.co.uk/food/Story/0,,2074346,00.html New fears over additives in children's food]", ''The Guardian'', May 8, 2007.</ref><ref name="telegraph1">Laura Clout, "[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/08/nfood108.xml Warning over food additives]", ''The Telegraph'', May 8, 2007.</ref><ref name="telegraph2">Graeme Paton and Adam Stones, "[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/09/neee09.xml New evidence links E-numbers to hyperactivity]", ''The Telegraph'', May 9, 2007.</ref> On [[10 April]] 2008, the Foods Standard Agency called for a voluntary removal of the colours (but not sodium benzoate) by 2009.<ref>BBC [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7340426.stm Europe-wide food colour ban call] [[10 April]] 2008</ref> In addition, it recommended that there should be action to phase them out in food and drink in the European Union (EU) over a specified period.<ref>FSA [http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/apr/coloursadvice Board discusses colours advice] [[10 April]] 2008</ref> The EFSA (European Food Standards Agency) has found the results of the Southampton study to be ambiguous and inconclusive and recommends no changes to current EU regulations pending results of further well designed testing of colorants.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} == References == <references/> ==External links== *[http://potency.berkeley.edu/chempages/SX%20PURPLE.html ''Carcinogenic Potency Database Project'' entry for SX purple, alias Ponceau 4R] *[http://www.coralim.com/fichas%20tecnicas/Rojo%20Ponceau.pdf ''Technical Data Sheet'' Ponceau 4R of CORALIM aditivos] *[http://www.standardcon.com/ponceau4r.htm Some more details, other common names] ==See also== *[[Ponceau]] family of Azo dyes [[Category:Food colorings]] [[Category:Azo dyes]] [[de:Cochenillerot A]] [[hu:Ponceau 4R]] [[nl:Ponceau 4R]] [[ja:ニューコクシン]] [[ru:Понсо 4R]] [[fi:Uuskokkiini]] [[sv:Nykockin]]