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This is a complex area, and different countries have developed various ways of looking at the subject. Phytone can offer advice world-wide on the subject, please contact a member of our Technical Services Team

One of the prime considerations is the possible health risk to the end consumer. Manufacturers have come a long way from the days when lead and arsenic salts were used to provide color.

Color should not be added to foods to mislead the consumer.
Legitimate reasons for adding colors are indicated below:

  • To reinforce color already present.
  • To restore color to original appearance, where processing may have affected color
  • To make food more visually attractive.

In the EU the regulations were last revised in the 1990s and came into effect on 1st January 1996.These are covered by the European Parliament and Council Directive 94/36 on colors for use in foodstuffs. The use of colors in the UK is covered by The colors in Food Regulations 1995 (Statutory Instrument 1995 No 3124)

Purity criteria for each color is covered by Commission Directive 2008/128EC, laying down specific purity criteria concerning color for use in foodstuffs.

 


 

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