Foods Containing E122 (Carmoisine)
E122 (Carmoisine) is a synthetic red dye linked to hyperactivity in children — foods containing it carry a warning label in the EU. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E122
E122 is used across sweets, soft drinks, desserts, ice cream, sauces and snacks. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Sweets
- Jelly
- Marzipan
- Cheesecake mixes
- Brown sauce
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E122 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E122" or as "Carmoisine".
How to spot E122 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "food colourings: E122" or "food colourings: carmoisine". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Carmoisine" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E122?
E122 is approved for use in the EU, UK and US at regulated levels, but some concerns or conditions apply. Carmoisine is one of the 'Southampton Six' colours linked to hyperactivity in some children: in the EU and UK, foods containing it must carry the warning 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'. For most people, normal dietary exposure to E122 is not considered harmful.
Full guide to E122: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).