Digestoa
Additive · Colour

Azorubine / Carmoisine (E122)

Azorubine / Carmoisine (E122) is a colour that Digestoa flags as high risk. Common concerns include hyperactivity in children.

Digestoa riskHigh risk
TypeColour (azo)
Found inbrightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts
ConcernsHyperactivity in children · Allergic reactions

What is Azorubine / Carmoisine?

Azorubine / Carmoisine (E122) is a colour — added to give food a specific colour.

Is Azorubine / Carmoisine bad for you?

Digestoa flags Azorubine / Carmoisine as high risk. Regulators permit it, but safety reviews and studies have raised concerns including hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions. How often you eat it matters more than a single exposure.

What foods contain Azorubine / Carmoisine?

Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.

Digestoa's take

You don't need to panic over a single product that contains Azorubine / Carmoisine. But it's a useful flag: when you see E122 on a label it often signals a more processed product, and there's usually a cleaner alternative.

Safer swaps

Choose products coloured with natural extracts like beetroot (E162), paprika (E160c) or turmeric (E100).

Frequently asked questions

Is E122 the same as Azorubine / Carmoisine?
Yes — E122 is the international additive (E-number) code for Azorubine / Carmoisine.
Is Azorubine / Carmoisine bad for you?
Digestoa flags Azorubine / Carmoisine (E122) as high risk. It's permitted in food, but it's associated with concerns such as hyperactivity in children.
What are the side effects of Azorubine / Carmoisine?
Reported concerns include: Hyperactivity in children; Allergic reactions.
What foods contain Azorubine / Carmoisine?
Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.
How can I avoid Azorubine / Carmoisine?
Check the ingredients list for "Azorubine / Carmoisine" or "E122", or scan the product with Digestoa to see if it's present before you buy.

Related colour additives

Titanium dioxide (E171)Tartrazine (E102)Quinoline Yellow (E104)Sunset Yellow FCF (E110)Ponceau 4R (E124)Allura Red AC (E129)

Risk ratings reflect Digestoa's editorial assessment synthesising EFSA/IARC opinions and peer-reviewed research. Informational only — not medical advice.