Compare E162 vs E126, Beetroot red vs Ponceau 6R

Overview

E162 - Beetroot red

Beetroot red (E162) is a natural red-to-pink food color made from red beets. Its main coloring pigment is betanin, which gives foods a vivid berry-like hue without using synthetic dyes. It is widely used in drinks, dairy, and confections, especially where a “natural color” label is preferred.

E126 - Ponceau 6R

Ponceau 6R (E126) is a synthetic red azo dye that was historically used to color foods and drinks. Today it is not approved for use as a food color in major markets like the European Union and the United States, so you are unlikely to see it on modern ingredient lists in those regions.

Synonyms

E162

Beetroot red

betanin

E126

Ponceau 6R

Functions

colour

Origins

Plant

Synthetic

Products

Found in 156 products

Found in 0 products

Search rank & volume

#318500 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#425100 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×0.48

under-aware

Awareness data is not available.

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

Does beetroot make your poop red?
Yes—beetroot contains betanin (E162), a natural red pigment that can pass through the gut and temporarily turn stool red or pink; it's harmless.
Does beetroot make you poop red?
Yes, the betanin (E162) in beetroot can color stools red for a short time after eating it, which can be mistaken for blood.
Can beetroot make poop red?
Yes; the beet pigment betanin (E162) often survives digestion and can make poop appear red, especially with larger amounts or fast transit.
What is beetroot red soup?
A beet-based soup (often called borscht) whose vivid color comes from beet pigments like betanin (E162); it’s a dish, not an additive.
Can beetroot cause red urine?
Yes—some people excrete beetroot’s betanin (E162) in urine, causing pink or red discoloration (beeturia); it’s temporary and harmless.

Comparing E162 - Beetroot red vs E126 - Ponceau 6R