Ingredient
CI 14290
CI 14290 is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, trying to conceive, PCOS and general use. The concern behind the strongest flag is carcinogen concern and fetal development.
- FD&C Red No. 4
- Food Red 1
- Ponceau SX
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Not Recommended
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 6 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 1 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
CI 14290 and pregnancy
Not Recommended
- Carcinogen concern
- Fetal development
- Absorbed into the body
CI 14290, also known as FD&C Red No. 4, is a synthetic azo dye that should be completely avoided during pregnancy. This colorant has been banned or severely restricted in most countries due to demonstrated carcinogenic effects in animal studies. The FDA delisted this dye from food and drug use in 1976 specifically because of cancer concerns from animal testing. During pregnancy, exposure to carcinogenic compounds poses risks not only to maternal health but also raises concerns about fetal development. Azo dyes can be absorbed through the skin, and some metabolites have been detected systemically in studies. This ingredient should not be found in modern cosmetics sold in the EU or US due to regulatory bans. If you encounter it in an imported or older product, avoid use entirely during pregnancy. There are numerous safe alternative colorants available in properly regulated cosmetics.
CI 14290 and breastfeeding
Not Recommended
- Carcinogen concern
- Absorbed into the body
- Infant exposure
CI 14290 should be avoided during breastfeeding due to its established carcinogenic profile. The FDA banned this dye from food and drugs in 1976, and it is prohibited in cosmetics in the EU and restricted in the US. The concern extends beyond direct carcinogenic risk to include potential metabolite transfer into breast milk if the dye is absorbed systemically. While specific breastfeeding studies don't exist (because the ingredient is already banned), the general principle of avoiding known carcinogens during lactation applies. This ingredient should not appear in properly regulated modern cosmetics. If found in an imported or vintage product, avoid it completely while breastfeeding. Many safe, regulated colorants are available in contemporary cosmetic formulations.
CI 14290 and postpartum
Not Recommended
- Carcinogen concern
CI 14290 should be avoided by postpartum women (and all individuals) due to its carcinogenic profile. The FDA delisted this colorant in 1976 based on animal studies showing tumor development, and it remains banned or restricted worldwide. Even for women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, using products with known carcinogenic ingredients is inadvisable. The postpartum period is a time when many women's immune systems are still recovering, making it particularly important to avoid unnecessary exposure to harmful compounds. This dye should not be present in modern regulated cosmetics anyway.
CI 14290 and trying to conceive
Not Recommended
- Carcinogen concern
- Absorbed into the body
CI 14290 should be avoided by women trying to conceive due to its carcinogenic profile. The FDA banned this dye from food and drugs in 1976 based on animal studies showing tumor development, and it is prohibited in cosmetics in the EU and restricted in the US. Avoiding known carcinogens is advisable during the preconception period as part of overall health optimization. This ingredient should not appear in modern regulated cosmetics anyway, but if found in imported or older products, choose alternatives that comply with current safety standards.
CI 14290 and PCOS
Not Recommended
- Carcinogen concern
CI 14290 should be avoided by women with PCOS, as it should be by all individuals due to its established carcinogenic profile. This dye was banned by the FDA in 1976 and is prohibited in cosmetics throughout the EU. While this ingredient doesn't specifically interact with hormonal aspects of PCOS, women with PCOS should not use products containing known carcinogens any more than the general population should. PCOS does not change the fundamental toxicological concerns with this banned colorant. This ingredient should not be found in properly regulated modern cosmetics. If encountered in imported or unregulated products, avoid them and choose cosmetics that comply with EU or US safety standards, which prohibit this colorant.
CI 14290 and general use
Not Recommended
- Carcinogen concern
- Common allergen
CI 14290 (FD&C Red No. 4) should be avoided by all individuals due to its carcinogenic profile. This synthetic azo dye was used historically as a red colorant but has been banned or severely restricted worldwide since the 1970s. According to the FDA, this colorant was delisted from food and drug use in 1976 specifically because animal studies demonstrated tumorigenic effects. The dye caused cancer development in laboratory animals at multiple dose levels. In addition to cancer concerns, azo dyes are also known to cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The EU Cosmetics Regulation prohibits CI 14290 in cosmetic products. In the United States, it is also restricted. Modern cosmetics from reputable manufacturers should not contain this ingredient. If you find it listed in an imported, vintage, or unregulated product, avoid that product entirely and choose cosmetics from manufacturers that comply with current EU or US safety standards. Numerous safe alternative colorants exist.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
Related ingredients
Ingredients suggested in place of CI 14290, each one with its own page here.
Ingredients that raise the same concerns.
Where this came from
Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.
Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .
One ingredient is the easy case.
A label has thirty of them. Truva reads the whole list at once and answers for the profile you set: pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, trying to conceive, PCOS, or general use.
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