July 29 – EU: New European law requires warning labels on foods with artificial colors

From Calgary Examiners:

Europe has moved one step closer in protecting kids from the harmful effects of artificial food coloring.  Starting this week, foods and drinks that contain six artificial food colorings linked to hyperactivity in children will be required to contain a warning label.

The UK’s Food Standards Agency released this statement about the changes:
An EU-wide health warning must now be put on any food or drink that still contains the colours that are thought to cause hyperactivity in some children. This is following the Southampton Study, commissioned by the Agency, which suggested a possible link between consumption of six food colours and hyperactivity in children.

The colours are Tartrazine (E102), Quinoline Yellow (E104), Sunset Yellow (E110), Carmoisine (E122), Ponceau 4R (E124) and Allura Red (E129).

Any food and drink containing any of the six colours, except drinks with more than 1.2% alcohol, will now have to provide a warning on the label that the colour ‘may have effects on activity and attention in children’. This becomes mandatory across the EU from 20 July 2010. Food and drink produced before 20 July 2010 can continue to be marketed, so it may take time for newly labelled products to appear on some store shelves.

These additives are known by different names in the United States.  Three of them are widely used in the U.S.  On labels here, they are known as:
•    FD and C Yellow 5
•    FD and C Yellow 6
•    FD and C Red 40

All three dyes are widely believed to be carcinogenic (cancer causing), as well.

Click on the links for more information.
Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: REACH compliance, EU SDS authoring, SDS authoring