Azorubine; Carmoisine

Identifiers

Carmoisine
INS No. 122
E 122
CAS No. 3567-69-9
CI Food Red 3

Physical Description

Azorubine is a monoazo dye that occurs as red powder or granules. It is principally the disodium salt of 4-hydroxy-3-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo)- 1-naphthalenesulfonate and subsidiary coloring matters together with sodium chloride and/or sodium sulfate as the principal uncolored components. It may be converted to the corresponding aluminum lake.

Common Uses

Typical applications include beverages, confectionery, bakery, dairy fats and oil, meat, seafood, snacks, dry mixes and seasonings, fruit preparation, convenient food, and pharmaceuticals.

Specifications

Regulatory Approvals

JECFA: ADI of 0-4 mg/kg bw (27th report, 1983). There are currently more than 35 food categories for which maximum permitted levels (MPLs) for azorubine (INS No. 122) have been adopted in the General Standard of Food Additives.

USA: Never authorized for food use. Known as Ext. D&C Red No. 10 and provisionally allowed for use in external drugs and cosmetics prior to its delisting in 1963.

EU: ADI of 0-4 mg/kg body weight (EFSA, 2009). EFSA has also established Maximum Permitted Levels of use of Azorubine/Carmoisine in beverages and food stuffs according to Council Directive 94/36/EC.

Safety Reviews

WHO Food Additive Series 18-JECFA 27/15. Available online

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Azorubine/Carmoisine (E 122) as a food additive on request the European Commission. EFSA Journal 2009; 7(11):1332. [40 pp.]. Available online