Allura red

Studies in people

• Concern

  Blood pressure risk¹

  In people who often ate Chinese dishes, higher urinary Allura red was linked to high blood pressure, though the link was uncertain.

Animal and lab studies only

• Concern

  Gut inflammation in mice⁴

  In animal studies, long-term Allura Red made colitis worse, but scientists do not yet know whether it affects people.

• No harm found

  Gut bacteria and food dyes⁵

  In lab studies, allura red did not change gut bacteria or damage gut cells, though its breakdown products need more study.

Study type not stated

• Open question

  Colon and rectum health²

  Scientists do not yet know whether Allura Red affects colon health, though it interacts with things linked to colon cancer.

• Concern

  Allergies and other health effects³

  Allura red is a dye in drinks, sweets and baked goods, and some people report allergies or food intolerance after eating it.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.