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Benario

Carmoisine Food Dye (E122) — Red Food Colouring Powder

Carmoisine Food Dye (E122) — Red Food Colouring Powder

Regular price $27.00 AUD
Regular price Sale price $27.00 AUD
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🔬Lab-testedCOA every batch
📦Packed in AustraliaSame-week dispatch
FSANZ approvedE122 food grade
🏭500+ businessesTrust AuSaMicS
Food Grade E122 FSANZ Approved Lab Tested COA Available

Carmoisine (E122) is a deep crimson-red food dye powder approved under FSANZ Standard 1.3.1 for use in Australian food products. Water soluble, highly concentrated and consistent batch after batch — trusted by home bakers, cake decorators, confectioners and food manufacturers across Australia.

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Backed by AuSaMicS Pty Ltd — Australian manufacturer and supplier of food-grade ingredients trusted by 500+ Australian businesses. Every batch lab-tested before dispatch.
Popular uses
🎂Cakes & IcingButtercream, fondant, royal icing
🍬ConfectioneryLollies, gummies, hard candy
🥤BeveragesCordials, drinks, cocktails
🍮DessertsJelly, mousse, panna cotta
🍦Ice CreamGelato, sorbet, soft serve
🧁DecorationMacarons, cookies, cake pops
Why Benario Carmoisine
  • FSANZ Standard 1.3.1 approved — legal for use in Australian food products
  • Lab-tested purity ≥85% dye content — COA available on request
  • Highly concentrated — a small amount delivers deep, vivid colour
  • Packed in Australia — quality-checked before every dispatch
  • Four sizes: 25g, 100g, 250g and 500g — from home baking to commercial production
  • Water soluble — dissolves easily in liquids, batters and icings
Quick reference
Property Detail
E number E122
Also known as Azorubine, Acid Red 14
Colour Deep red / crimson
Form Fine powder
Solubility Water soluble
Pack sizes 25g · 100g · 250g · 500g
Storage Cool, dry, away from direct light
Shelf life 24 months (sealed)
Standard FSANZ Standard 1.3.1
⚠️ Allergy notice: May not be suitable for people with aspirin sensitivity. Part of the Southampton Six — use with caution for children with hyperactivity disorders. Use within permitted levels per FSANZ Standard 1.3.1.

Benario is a trading name of AuSaMicS Pty Ltd (ABN 56 676 640 467). This product is intended for use as a food ingredient in accordance with FSANZ Standard 1.3.1. Always use within permitted levels for the relevant food category.

Carmoisine is highly concentrated — always start small and build up. Pre-dissolving in warm water before adding to your mixture gives the most even, consistent colour.

Recommended usage levels
Application Usage level Tip
Buttercream / icing 0.01 – 0.05% Pre-dissolve in 1 tsp warm water for even colour
Fondant 0.01 – 0.03% Knead in gradually — wear gloves to avoid staining
Beverages 0.005 – 0.02% Stir into warm water first, then add to drink
Jelly / gelatin 0.01 – 0.05% Add to hot liquid before setting
Hard candy 0.01 – 0.03% Add when syrup reaches correct temperature
Ice cream / gelato 0.01 – 0.05% Mix into base before churning
Tips for best results
  • Always dissolve in warm water first — never add dry powder directly to thick batters
  • Colour deepens slightly over time — wait a few minutes before adding more
  • Not suitable for oil-based applications (chocolate, ganache) — use an oil-soluble dye instead
  • For red velvet, combine with a small amount of Allura Red (E129) for a warmer red-orange tone
  • Unused dissolved solution keeps in the fridge for up to 1 week
💡 Formulation tip: Carmoisine gives a cooler, deeper crimson compared to Allura Red (E129) which is warmer and more orange-red. For a true red, use Carmoisine alone. For a warmer red-orange, blend both.
Storage
  • Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
  • Keep container tightly sealed after every use
  • Clumping indicates moisture exposure — still usable, break up before measuring
  • Shelf life: 24 months from manufacture date when stored correctly

Usage levels are indicative. Always comply with FSANZ Standard 1.3.1 permitted levels for the specific food category. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd accepts no responsibility for use outside recommended guidelines.

Technical specifications
Parameter Specification
Chemical name Disodium 4-hydroxy-3-(4-sulfonato-1-naphthylazo)naphthalene-1-sulfonate
CAS number 3567-69-9
E number E122
INS number INS 122
FD&C equivalent No direct US equivalent (not FDA approved)
Molecular formula C₂₀H₁₂N₂Na₂O₇S₂
Molecular weight 502.43 g/mol
Appearance Dark red to maroon fine powder
Dye content (purity) ≥ 85%
Solubility Freely soluble in water
pH (1% solution) 6.0 – 8.0
Loss on drying ≤ 15%
Heavy metals (as Pb) ≤ 10 mg/kg
Arsenic ≤ 3 mg/kg
Lead ≤ 2 mg/kg
Mercury ≤ 1 mg/kg
Applicable standard FSANZ Standard 1.3.1, EU E122, FAO/WHO JECFA
International equivalents
Market Code / Name Status
Australia / NZ (FSANZ) E122 — Carmoisine Approved
European Union E122 — Azorubine Approved
INS (Codex) INS 122 Approved
United States (FDA) No equivalent Not approved
Also known as Acid Red 14, Brilliant Crimson 4R
Pack sizes
Size Price (AUD) Best for
25g $27.00 Home bakers, first-time buyers
100g $47.00 Regular home use, small catering
250g $67.00 Frequent bakers, cake decorators
500g $87.00 Commercial kitchens, food manufacturers

Certificate of Analysis (COA) available on request — info@benario.com.au

Specifications represent typical values. Batch-specific results confirmed in COA. Contact us for current batch documentation.

Carmoisine (E122) is an approved food additive under FSANZ Standard 1.3.1. Safe for consumption when used within permitted levels in approved food categories.

Key safety points
  • Approved food additive in Australia, New Zealand and EU
  • Part of the Southampton Six — use with caution for children with hyperactivity disorders
  • May cause reactions in people with aspirin or azo dye sensitivity
  • Avoid contact with eyes — rinse with water if contact occurs
  • Wear gloves when handling larger quantities — stains skin temporarily
  • Keep powder out of reach of children
First aid
Route Action
Skin contact Wash with soap and water. Staining is temporary.
Eye contact Rinse with clean water for 15 minutes. Seek medical advice if irritation persists.
Ingestion (large amount) Seek medical advice. Show this label to the doctor.
Inhalation Move to fresh air. Seek medical advice if symptoms persist.
GHS classification
Hazard category Classification
Physical hazards Not classified
Health hazards Not classified at food-grade use levels
Environmental hazards Not classified
Signal word None required

Full SDS available on request — info@benario.com.au

This is a general safety summary. It does not replace a full Safety Data Sheet (SDS). For commercial use, request the full SDS. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd (ABN 56 676 640 467) accepts no liability for misuse of this product.

Frequently asked questions
Yes. Carmoisine (E122) is an approved food additive under FSANZ Standard 1.3.1. It is legally permitted for use in a wide range of food categories in Australia and New Zealand when used within the permitted levels specified in the standard.
For buttercream or royal icing, start with approximately 0.02–0.05% by weight — that is roughly 0.02–0.05g per 100g of icing (about a small pinch). Pre-dissolve in a few drops of warm water before mixing in for the most even colour distribution. Add gradually and wait a few minutes between additions as colour deepens slightly over time.
Carmoisine (E122) produces a deeper, cooler crimson-red tone. Allura Red (E129) gives a warmer, more orange-red colour. For a true deep red, use Carmoisine alone. For a brighter red-orange (classic red velvet colour), use Allura Red or blend both. Both are water soluble and approved under FSANZ Standard 1.3.1.
No. Carmoisine is water soluble and will not dissolve or disperse evenly in oil-based applications such as chocolate, ganache or fat-based coatings. For oil-based applications, you need an oil-soluble food dye. Contact us at info@benario.com.au if you need guidance on the right dye for your application.
Shelf life is 24 months from the date of manufacture when stored correctly. Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight with the lid tightly sealed after each use. Avoid moisture — clumping indicates moisture exposure but the product is still usable; break up clumps before measuring.
Yes. A batch-specific Certificate of Analysis is available on request for every product. Email info@benario.com.au with your order number and we will send the COA for your batch.
The 25g pack suits home bakers and first-time buyers. The 100g is ideal for regular home use. The 250g suits frequent bakers and cake decorators. The 500g is best value for commercial kitchens and food manufacturers. Carmoisine is highly concentrated — even the 25g pack provides a substantial number of uses for typical home applications.

Have a question not answered here? Contact us at info@benario.com.au — we typically respond within 1 business day.

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