CI 14270 is a chemical compound, a synthetic azo orange dye also known as Acid Orange 6, Acid Red 14, Food Red 3, Azorubin  and an ingredient listed in the European food additives list as colorant E122.

Chemical Name: Sodium 4-(2,4-dihydroxyphenylazo)benzenesulphonate

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Restricted cosmetic ingredient as IV/17 (CI 14270) II/1330 (Acid Orange 6; CI 14270: when used as substance in hair dye products) a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Substance or ingredient reported: 4-(2,4-Dihydroxyphenylazo)benzensulphonic acid (CAS 2050-34-2; EINECS 218-087-0) and its sodium salt (Acid Orange 6; CI 14270) (CAS 547-57-9; EINECS 208-924-8) when used as substance in hair dye products

Cosmetics - INCI Functions

Colorant. This ingredient has the function of colouring the solution in which it is inserted in a temporary, semi-permanent or permanent manner, either alone or in the presence of the complementary components added for colouring.

Safety

The problem with azo dyes (monoazo or diazo) is photocatalytic degradation leading to oxidation and the subsequent formation of impurities such as aromatic amines, some of which have carcinogenic activity (1).

With regard to food safety, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that the component, while detecting increased hyperactivity in 3-, 8- and 9-year-old children, did not reveal any signs of genotoxicity (2).

In May 2010, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) established guidelines for certain dyes, including E122: "When using the colours listed below in food and drink there is a requirement (subject to a limited number of exemptions) to include the additional information that „name or E number of the colour(s)‟: may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" (3).

Molecular Formula    C₁₂H₉N₂NaO₅S

Molecular Weight   502.423 g/mol

CAS  547-57-9

EC number   208-924-8

UNII NF91VMI73L

DTXSID70873925

Synonyms: 

Carmoisine

Acid red 14

Acid Orange 6

Resorcinol yellow

Acid Rubine

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) EFSA-Q-2008-226
24 September 2009  Publshed 12 november 2009

(2) EFSA - Guidance on the labelling of certain food colours as set out in Regulation 1333/2008

(3) Konstantinou, I. K., & Albanis, T. A. (2004). TiO2-assisted photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes in aqueous solution: kinetic and mechanistic investigations: a review. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 49(1), 1-14.