Is Ponceau 4R / Cochineal Red A (E124) Halal?

MUIS lists E124 (Ponceau 4R / Cochineal Red A) as halal. It is manufactured synthetically from non-animal raw materials. The status applies to the additive itself; the finished product still needs its other ingredients checked.

Ponceau 4R (Cochineal Red A) is a synthetic red azo dye, despite its name being unrelated to natural cochineal. It is produced from petroleum chemicals.

• dessert mixes
• jellies
• fruit pie fillings
• salami casings
• tinned strawberries

• E124 on its own is not a reason to avoid a product.
• The finished product still needs its other ingredients checked — look for a halal certification logo (MUIS, JAKIM, MUI, HMC or similar) when in doubt.
• Halal status here follows the MUIS food additive listing; rulings can differ between certification bodies.

beet red (E162), cochineal (E120), anthocyanins (E163)

E124 (Ponceau 4R/Cochineal Red A (C.I. 16255)) is halal for Muslims according to the MUIS food additive listing. Ponceau 4R (Cochineal Red A) is a synthetic red azo dye, despite its name being unrelated to natural cochineal.

Ponceau 4R (Cochineal Red A) is a synthetic red azo dye, despite its name being unrelated to natural cochineal. It is produced from petroleum chemicals.

E124 is commonly found in dessert mixes, jellies, fruit pie fillings, salami casings, and tinned strawberries.