When It Comes to Synthetic Food Colors: Beware the 'Southampton Six' , also charp with natural replacement colors

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http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2010/colorants.html

When It Comes to Synthetic Food Colors: Beware the 'Southampton Six'

With a link to hyperactivity established, Europe slaps warning labels on six synthetic colorants.

By Dave Fusaro, Editor in Chief | 07/06/2010

The replacement of synthetic food colors has never been more topical. This month, the European Union will require the following warning on six food color additives: "Warning: Alurra Red AC E129 [or one of the other five colors] may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."

"The Southampton Six" is not a group of antiwar protesters; but they've been convicted all the same. Those are the six colors that a 2007 British study singled out for a connection to hyperactivity in children. In addition to Alurra Red (also called Red 40) the others are Ponceau 4R (E124); Tartrazine (Yellow 5) (E102); Sunset Yellow FCF/Orange Yellow S (Yellow6) (E110); Quinoline Yellow (E104); and Carmoisine (E102).

Each of them has a "natural" equivalent, although the substitute may vary with the application (see table at the end of this article)

Those numbers in parentheses (e.g., E102) are their European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)-assigned additive numbers, like our FD & C numbers. "If at all possible, you don't want to have to use an E-number on your label," says Guild, global food science and regulatory manager with D.D. on (www.ddwilliamson.com), with U.S. headquarters in Louisville, Ky. "Labels without them are perceived to be more consumer-friendly."

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