Aperol spritz under fire: The reasons why you should not drink it

Drinking a chilled Aperol on a summer evening is a pleasure for some. However, there are opinions on the internet that the dyes in this beverage are extremely toxic and carcinogenic. Is that the case?

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 often 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 color of the liqueur.

So-called azo dyes are considered "very controversial" – according to the consumer advice center in Berlin. They can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to aspirin or generally prone to allergies. Contact with the dyes can lead to 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 authorized food additives. According to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), additives are only allowed 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 for E 124, it is 0.7 milligrams.

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 liter. This means that a person weighing 154 pounds can consume up to 17 ounces of Aperol per day without exceeding the recommended limits, explains the Consumer Advice Center. Just under 17 ounces 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 center, 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 tumors in animals. Still, they add that no such association has been proven in humans.

However, there is another ingredient to consider: alcohol. It is well-established that there is a direct link between alcohol consumption and the risk of cancer, according to the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). This includes cancers such as esophageal cancer and liver cancer. 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.