Is Red 40 Vegan?

Red 40 is one of the most common food dyes in the US, and vegans ask about it constantly, usually because they've confused it with carmine, the red made from insects. Red 40 contains nothing from animals. The debate is about animal testing.

What is Red 40?

Red 40, also called Allura Red AC, is a synthetic azo dye made from petroleum-derived chemicals. In the US it's listed as "Red 40", "FD&C Red No. 40" or "Red 40 Lake" (a version bound to a mineral so it doesn't bleed). In the UK, Ireland and the EU, it's E129.

It gives a bright cherry red, and it's cheap and stable, which is why it's in so much candy, cereal and soda.

Red 40 vs carmine

If you see "carmine", "cochineal" or E120, the product isn't vegan. Read more about carmine.

Why some vegans avoid Red 40

Like most food additives, Red 40 has been tested on animals in safety studies, including studies on rats and other animals carried out for regulators. Some vegans avoid synthetic dyes for that reason, as part of avoiding animal testing more broadly. Others focus on ingredients, since nothing in the dye comes from animals.

There's no single right answer. Our verdicts follow ingredients, so we call Red 40 vegan, and we note the testing issue so you can decide. See vegan vs cruelty-free for how those two ideas differ.

Where you'll find Red 40

Red 40 is being phased out of some foods

US food makers are moving away from synthetic dyes. Kellogg, for example, has said it will remove artificial dyes from its US cereals by the end of 2027. In Europe, many brands already use plant-based colors such as beetroot red and anthocyanins (E163), which is why the same candy can look slightly different in Dublin and Dallas.

The bottom line

Red 40 is a synthetic dye with no animal ingredients, so it's vegan by ingredients. Some vegans avoid it over animal testing. The red to avoid is carmine (E120), which is made from insects.