Ponceau 4R

Ponceau 4R (CAS 2611-82-7), also sold as Cochineal Red A, New Coccine, and listed as E124 in the EU additive register, is a synthetic azo dye that delivers a vivid red-to-pink hue. Also marketed as Brilliant Scarlet 4R.

Where is Ponceau 4R used?

• Food manufacturing: approved for canned fruits, desserts, confectionery, and processed meat to achieve consistent red coloration
• Cosmetics: lipsticks, blushes, and rinse-off personal care products requiring a stable, bright red tone
• Textile dyeing: applied to wool, silk, and nylon substrates using acid dyeing processes
• Printing inks: colorant in packaging inks where regulatory compliance and color consistency are primary sourcing criteria
• These processes produce uniform scarlet shades across various materials.

Commercial specifications

• Food-grade material meets E124 specifications under EU Directive standards, with purity levels commonly at or above 85% dye content