The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) periodically requests reassessments of food additives to ensure that safety evidence remains current and reflects contemporary consumption trends and industrial usage. This recent study is part of ongoing safety evaluations of additives that the agency has previously classified as safe, in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
In addition to Tartrazine and Allura Red 4C, researchers identified no safety concerns regarding Ponceau 4R, which is permitted in Europe but banned in the United States. These three food colorings were part of the Southampton Six study, which in 2007 associated six artificial food colors and the preservative sodium benzoate with hyperactivity in children, causing significant upheaval in the industry and providing a considerable boost to the natural colors sector. Despite this, EFSA and other global experts found the Southampton study to be fundamentally flawed, and EFSA maintained its stance on the safety of these colorings. However, European lawmakers opted for a cautious route, requiring warning labels. The FDA, on the other hand, did not implement similar measures despite pressure from the Center for Science in the Public Interest to ban these colors or at least mandate warning labels.
Among the three other colorings from the Southampton Six not evaluated in this latest safety review, two are not utilized in the United States, although they are allowed in the European Union. The third, Sunset Yellow, is known as FD&C Yellow 6 when used in food products. No toxic effects have been detected at the levels used, and in fact, EFSA has increased the acceptable daily intake for this coloring.
Regardless of the research findings, the food and beverage sector has made significant progress in reformulating products with natural colors, especially those aimed at children. According to a report from UBIC Consulting, the market for natural colors is expanding at a rate of approximately 10 to 15% annually. Despite ample research validating the safety of artificial colorings, consumers still prefer their food to be as natural as possible. When the Southampton study was released, many consumers were dismayed to learn that manufacturers were using artificial colors despite the availability of natural alternatives.
Given the option, most consumers lean towards natural products over artificial ones. However, if the distinction is not prominently displayed, many may still choose products with vibrant colors—a factor that manufacturers should consider. An increasing number of food producers are eliminating artificial colors and flavors from their offerings. A 2014 Nielsen study indicated that over 60% of U.S. consumers regarded the absence of artificial colors and flavors as a significant factor in their food purchasing decisions. Companies like General Mills have removed artificial flavors and colors from some of their cereals, and Campbell Soup has pledged to eliminate these additives from its North American products by the end of 2018. Numerous other food manufacturers have announced similar initiatives.
In this evolving landscape, where consumer awareness and preference play pivotal roles, products such as calcium citrate vitamin D3 zinc & magnesium tablets are also gaining traction, reflecting a broader trend towards health-conscious choices. The increasing demand for natural ingredients extends beyond food coloring to dietary supplements, illustrating a shift in consumer priorities toward transparency and safety in all aspects of their diets.