Dangerous cocktails: The carcinogenic concerns of Aperol spritz

Thesis: Due to highly carcinogenic dyes, Aperol Spritz should not be consumed at all.

Facts: Aperol is a brand of the Campari Group. The Italian liqueur is often served as an aperitif or in cocktails. Aperol Spritz is a blend of Aperol, Prosecco, and mineral water. Discount stores usually offer their brands similar to Aperol. Two petroleum-based artificial dyes, E 110 (Sunset Yellow FCF) and E 124 (Ponceau 4R), provide the striking orange-red colour of the liqueur.

So-called azo dyes are considered "very controversial" – according to the consumer advice centre in Berlin. They can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to aspirin or generally prone to allergies. Contact with the dyes can lead to so-called pseudo-allergic reactions, such as skin redness and asthma.

But do they also increase the risk of cancer? Small amounts used in food are considered harmless. Both dyes are authorised food additives. According to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), additives are only permitted if specific criteria are met. These include demonstrating that the substance is harmless to health.

The permission often only applies to certain food categories and limited maximum amounts. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also set daily intake limits for E 110 and E 124. For E 110, it is a maximum of four milligrams per kilogram of body weight and 0.7 milligrams for E 124.

In alcoholic beverages like Aperol, the dyes and other substances from the same category can be used in total concentrations of up to 200 milligrams per litre. This means that a person weighing 70 kilograms can consume up to 500 millilitres of Aperol per day without exceeding the recommended limits – explains the Consumer Advice Centre. Just under 500 millilitres of Aperol corresponds to about eight glasses of Aperol Spritz.

Studies on whether and to what extent E 110 and E 124 are carcinogenic have produced different results. According to the consumer advice centre, one finding was that the cancer risk in mice was increased – albeit with long-term administration at high concentrations. Nevertheless, other countries are already much more restrictive towards E 124. For example, in the USA, the use of this dye in food is completely banned.

Regarding E 110, experts from the Hamburg Environment Institute report the possibility of kidney tumours in animals. Still, they add that no such association has been proven in humans.

However, there is another ingredient to consider: alcohol. The fact that there is a direct link between alcohol consumption and the risk of cancer has long been known to experts. This includes, among others, oesophageal cancer and liver cancer – according to the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ). Approximately four percent of annual cancer cases in Germany can be directly attributed to alcohol consumption. Moreover, there are other potential health consequences, such as strokes, heart failure, alcohol addiction, and mental disorders.