What Are Synthetic Food Colours and Why They Must Be Tested
Introduction
Food colours play a vital role in enhancing the visual appeal of processed foods and beverages. Among these, synthetic food colours are widely used due to their vibrant shades, stability, and cost-effectiveness. However, increasing consumer awareness, regulatory scrutiny, and safety concerns have prompted more rigorous testing and monitoring of these additives.
What Are Synthetic Food Colours?
Synthetic food colors are artificially produced chemical compounds not derived from natural sources. Common examples include:
- Tartrazine (E102)– Yellow
- Sunset Yellow FCF (E110)– Orange
- Carmoisine (E122)– Red
- Ponceau 4R (E124)– Red
- Allura Red AC (E129)– Red
- Erythrosine (E127)– Red
- Brilliant Blue FCF (E133)– Blue
- Indigo Carmine (E132)– Indigo
These are commonly used in soft drinks, candies, ice creams, jams, baked goods, and sauces.
Concerns in the Food Industry
Despite regulatory approvals, several concerns are associated with synthetic food colours:
- Adverse Reactions: Includes allergic responses, particularly linked to Tartrazine and Carmoisine
- Hyperactivity in Children: Studies suggest links between certain colours and behavioral issues
- Undeclared Additives: Use of banned or undeclared colours can pose major safety and legal risks
- Cross-contamination: Risk in shared processing lines, especially with non-permitted dyes
- Excessive Usage: Overuse of permitted colours can exceed acceptable daily intake (ADI) thresholds
Importance of testing synthetic food colours
With the growing demand for processed and packaged foods, it has become essential to accurately measure and monitor synthetic colours to ensure food safety and compliance. The following table highlights the key reasons for testing synthetic colours:
|
Purpose |
Description |
|
Quality Assurance |
Confirms presence and concentration of permitted colours in food and beverage products |
|
Detection of Banned Additives |
Identifies illegal dyes such as Sudan dyes, Rhodamine B, and lead-based pigments |
|
Verification of Label Claims |
Validates claims on food packaging regarding added or absent colours |
|
Regulatory Compliance |
Ensures adherence to FSSAI, EFSA, and US FDA limits and labelling require |
Standards and regulations
European Commission
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on Food Additives: This regulation governs the use of food
additives in the EU and explicitly prohibits the addition of certain artificial colorants,
including Sudan dyes, to spices and spice mixes. The regulation aims to harmonize food
safety standards across member states and ensure that food additives are safe for consumption
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32008R1333&qid=1731566850591
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011: This regulation amends the previous
legislation by establishing a Union list of authorized food additives. It reinforces the
prohibition on the use of unauthorized coloring agents in spices
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02011R1129-
20131121&qid=1731573970478
FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has detailed guidelines for food colours and flavouring agents under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Below is a summary of the key regulations regarding food colours and flavours:
|
Category |
Food Additive |
Standard/Requirement |
|
Food Colours |
Erythrosine (Red) |
Dye content: NLT 87% by mass. |
|
|
|
Loss on drying: NMT 13% by mass at 135°C. |
|
|
|
Water-insoluble content: NMT 0.2%. |
|
|
|
Heavy metals: Lead (NMT 10 mg/kg), arsenic (NMT 3 mg/kg), zinc (NMT 50 mg/kg). |
|
|
|
Free from copper, mercury, chromium, aromatic nitro compounds, cyanides, hydrocarbons, and amines. |
|
|
β-Carotene (Yellow) |
Spectrophotometric requirement: Absorption maxima at 456-484 nm. |
|
|
|
Purity: NLT 96%. |
|
|
|
Heavy metals: Lead (NMT 10 ppm), arsenic (NMT 3 ppm), total heavy metals (NMT 40 ppm). |
|
|
|
Subsidiary colouring matter: NMT 3%. |
|
|
Chlorophyll (Green) |
Identification: Blue color in ethanol with deep red fluorescence. |
|
|
|
Heavy metals: Lead (NMT 10 ppm), arsenic (NMT 3 ppm), copper (NMT 30 ppm), zinc (NMT 50 ppm). |
|
|
|
Residual solvents: Methanol, ethanol, acetone, 2-propanol, hexane (NMT 50 mg/kg); dichloromethane (NMT 10%). |
|
|
Riboflavin (Yellow to Orange) |
Spectrophotometric absorption: 220-225, 266, 371, and 444 nm. |
|
|
|
Purity: NLT 97%. |
|
|
|
Heavy metals: Lead (NMT 20 ppm), arsenic (NMT 5 ppm). |
|
|
Other Colours |
Includes Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow, Indigo Carmine, Caramel, Annatto, with specific purity and heavy metal limits. |
|
Flavouring Agents |
Natural Flavours |
Must adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). |
|
|
Nature-Identical Flavouring Substances |
Must adhere to GMP and specific standards for emulsifying agents, stabilizers, antioxidants, anti-caking agents. |
|
|
Artificial Flavouring Substances |
Must adhere to GMP. Use of synthetic amorphous silicon dioxide (INS 551) allowed in powder flavouring substances at a maximum level of 2%. |
https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Chapter%203%20(Substances%20added%20to%20food).pdf
Testing Methods for Synthetic Colours
- HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography): Precise quantification of individual dyes
Eurofins Testing Services for Synthetic Food Colours
Eurofins provides extensive analytical support for detecting, quantifying, and regulating synthetic food colours:
- Analysis of permitted synthetic dyes in beverages, snacks, confectionery, and condiments
- Detection of non-permitted and banned colours such as Sudan I-IV, Rhodamine B, and Malachite Green
- Quantification of dyes in complex matrices using validated HPLC and LC-MS/MS protocols
- Shelf-life and stability testing to monitor colour retention over time
- Batch release testing and labelling compliance reports for exports
Eurofins' advanced facilities and internationally accredited laboratories ensure food safety, compliance, and traceability for global and domestic food brands.
Why Choose Eurofins?
- ✅ ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories
- ✅ Globally harmonized methods (AOAC, FSSAI, ISO, Codex, EU)
- ✅ End-to-end traceability and LIMS-based reporting
- ✅ Rapid turnaround with express testing options
- ✅ Expert technical guidance for product formulation and regulatory filing.
