Illegal Dyes

Illegal dyes testing in Food, often referred to as colour additives, are commonly used in many of the foods we eat on regular basis. Artificial food dyes are responsible for the bright colours of candy, sports drinks and baked goods. They are added for a variety of reasons such as for

Enhancing color
Imparting flavor
Increase shelf life of a product, and
Making products more fun and appetizing.
Attracting consumers

While many color additives used in food products are recognized as safe or GRAS (Generally Recognised as Safe), studies have reported that there are certain possible links between the consumption of foods containing dyes as an ingredient to increased hyperactivity in children.

List of illegal dyes include, but not limited to -

Acid yellow 36 (Metanil Yellow)
Bixin
Chrysodine – G
Methyl Yellow (Butter yellow)
Oil orange SS
Para Red
Rhodamine B
Sudan Black B
Sudan 1
Sudan II
Sudan III
Sudan IV
Sudan orange G
Sudan Red 7B
Sudan Red B
Sudan Red G
Toluidine Red

Adverse Effects

Extensive research needs to be done on these illegal dyes to clear doubts related to their safety. Regulations are setting up maximum upper limits up to which a dye can be used in food products. Some illegal dyes are reported to be responsible for hyperactivity in children and much study is ongoing in this area.

Some dyes may also contain cancer causing components. A Detailed toxicological review is also provided for each dye in terms of both their genotoxic and carcinogenic properties.