Derived from the small herbaceous plant of the same name. A purplish-red (blackcurrant) synthetic coal tar or azo dye found in ice creams, gravy granules, jams, jelly, tinned fruit pie fillings and prawns and packeted cake mixes, soups and trifles.

It appears to cause allergic and/or intolerance reactions, similar to nettle rash, particularly amongst those with an aspirin intolerance or asthmatics. can provoke asthma, eczema and hyperactivity; it caused birth defects and foetal deaths in some animal tests, possibly also cancer

.Not recommended for consumption by children.

It is banned in Norway, United States, Russia and Austria (see E129) with a very restricted use in France and Italy (caviar only).