Forkin
E129Restricted useIn 4,715 productsTypically vegan

Allura Red AC

Function: Artificial Color

E129 is the European food-additive number for Allura Red AC, a colour — added to give or restore colour to food. Allura Red AC (E129) is a colour used as a food additive.

What is E129 used for?

Allura Red AC (E129) is a colour — added to give or restore colour to food. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all food colours (E-numbers).

Is E129 safe or restricted?

E129 faces restrictions under EU rules on how, where, or in what quantities it may be used. Forkin classifies it as Restricted use and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.

Is E129 vegan or vegetarian?

Allura Red AC (E129) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product. Always read the label for allergens.

Which foods contain E129?

E129 appears in 4,715 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in food coloring / decorations, candy & sweets and gummy candy.

  • Food Coloring / Decorations346
  • Candy & Sweets301
  • Gummy Candy232
  • Cakes222
  • Chocolate Candy174
  • Hard Candy141
  • Flavored Syrups129
  • Ice Cream100

Often appears alongside

Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E129 across the catalogue.

Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added — they are not a market-share statistic.

Frequently asked questions about E129

What is E129?
E129 is the E-number for Allura Red AC, a colour — added to give or restore colour to food. Allura Red AC (E129) is a colour used as a food additive.
What is E129 used for?
Allura Red AC (E129) is a colour — added to give or restore colour to food. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
Which foods contain E129?
E129 appears in 4,715 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in food coloring / decorations, candy & sweets and gummy candy. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
Is E129 vegan or vegetarian?
Allura Red AC (E129) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
Is E129 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
E129 faces restrictions under EU rules on how, where, or in what quantities it may be used. Forkin classifies it as "Restricted use" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.

See the full profile in Forkin

The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E129 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.

Related additives (Artificial Color)

Regulatory-level classification based on EFSA re-evaluations and exposure assessments, IARC monograph groupings, the EU food additive register (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and mandatory warning labels, ECHA harmonised CLP classifications, FAO/WHO JECFA acceptable-daily-intake reviews, and national measures (US FDA, Health Canada, California OEHHA Proposition 65). Informational only — not medical or dietary advice. See methodology for the rubric.