Safety of Allura Red AC in feed for cats and dogs

No evidence of genotoxicity was found in an in vivo micronucleus test with Allura Red AC; however, no evidence of target cell exposure was provided. In an in vivo comet assay, Allura Red AC was clearly negative for the induction of DNA damage in all the analysed tissues (stomach, colon, and liver). Consequently, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concludes that Allura Red AC is not genotoxic. Since no data on the safety of Allura Red AC for cats and dogs were provided, the highest safe dietary concentration of Allura Red AC was derived from the no observed adverse effect level obtained in toxicity studies with rats, applying an uncertainty factor of 100. The calculated values were 370 mg/kg complete feed for dogs and 308 mg/kg complete feed for cats.