YenzoWhat is E129 (allura red AC)?
It is allura red AC, a synthetic red azo colour. It is added to food to give a red colour.
E129Allura red AC
E129 is Allura Red AC, a synthetic red azo colour. In food it gives a red colour to soft drinks, sweets, jellies, cakes and snacks.
Did you know? Allura red AC has also been assessed by EFSA as a feed additive: in 2015 EFSA calculated the highest safe level in complete feed as 370 mg/kg for dogs and 308 mg/kg for cats.
- Code
- E129 · INS 129
- Group
- Colour
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalemoderate?Based on EFSA's scientific assessment, 2015
In the EU, a food with this colour must carry the label warning “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children” (Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, Annex V); EFSA keeps its ADI.
How much a day stays within the ADI?EFSA 2015: 7 mg/kg bw per day
about 0.5 g a daythat is 455 mg
How E129 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, colour (129), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
colour (129)colour 129E129INS 129allura redOn Vietnamese labels: Allura red AC
Allura red AC in food
Non-alcoholic drinksHard and soft candyChewing gumEdible ices and fruit ice creamBaked goodsPotato and cereal snacksDipping sauces and saucesSoup and broth cubes
Questions about Allura red AC
Is Allura red AC harmful?
In 2015, in a refined exposure assessment, EFSA restated the ADI of 7 mg/kg body weight per day and concluded that with the new data no estimate in any population exceeded it.
Is E129 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Allura red AC (INS 129) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function colour.
Can children and pregnant women have allura red AC?
In the EU, foods containing E129 must show the name or E number of the colour on the label with a separate warning about children (quoted below), with some exceptions such as drinks with more than 1.2% alcohol by volume. In the EU, additives may not be used in foods for infants and young children unless Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 provides for it; Annex II has no entry for E129 in that food category. The Regulation has no separate provision for pregnant women. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
“may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex V (food colours requiring additional labelling information)
Other colours
E126Ponceau 6RhighE127ErythrosinemoderateE128Red 2GhighE130Indanthrene blue RShighE131Patent blue VlowE132Indigotine (indigo carmine)low
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Bánh đậu xanh Rồng Vàng Hoàng Gia hương trái cây (fruit-flavoured mung bean cake)Rồng Vàng Hoàng Gia · cakes and biscuits
Nước tăng lực Sting hương dâu hồng sâm (strawberry red ginseng energy drink)Sting · soft drinks and flavoured drinksUpdated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- EFSA Journal: Refined exposure assessment for Allura Red AC (E 129) (2015).
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2A: nhóm thực phẩm được phép dùng INS 129
- EFSA Journal (2015). Safety of Allura Red AC in feed for cats and dogs
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex V (food colours requiring additional labelling information)