- natural compounds or additives derived from the natural ingredient
- synthetic chemicals
What it is for and where
Cosmetics
It is a restricted ingredient as IV/18 ( CI 14700) II/1341 (Ponceau SX; CI 14700: when used as a substance in hair dye products) a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Substance or ingredient reported:Disodium 3-[(2,4-dimethyl-5-sulphonatophenyl)azo]-4-hydroxynaphthalene-1-sulphonate (Ponceaux SX; CI 14700) when used as a substance in hair dye products
It appears in the form of a red powder.

Safety
Ponceau sx was found to be carcinogenic in hamsters, but not in rats (2).
Since intestinal cancer is more common in industrialised countries, a possible connection may exist between the increase in the number of cancer cases and the use of azo dyes. Azo dyes can be reduced to aromatic amines by intestinal microflora (3).
Molecular Formula C18H14N2Na2O7S2
Molecular Weight 480.42
CAS :4548-53-2
Synonyms
- Red 4
- Ponceau SX
- E124
- C.I. Food Red 1
- C.I. Food Red 1, disodium salt
- FD and C Red No. 4
- Dye FD and C Red No. 4
- Food red 1
- Ponceau SX Lake
- 4R purple
- Crimson 4R
- EINECS 224-909-9
- 2-(6-Sulfo-2,4-xylylazo)-1-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid, disodium salt
- 4-Hydroxy-3-(2,4-dimet hyl-5-sulfophenylazo)-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid disodium salt
- disodium 3-[(2,4-dimethyl-5-sulfonatophenyl)hydrazinylidene]-4-oxonaphthalene-1-sulfonate