Food Colouring: Types, Banned Dyes, FSSAI Rules and Health Risks

Context

The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) issued guidelines against the widespread use of banned industrial dyes in street foods.

About Food Colouring

1. Nature: Any dye, pigment or chemical added to food or drink to give, boost or restore colour.
2. Types:
   a. Natural: From plants and minerals, e.g., beetroot, turmeric, paprika extract.
   b. Synthetic: Chemically made food-grade additives, allowed only in specific categories within strict limits.

Chemicals Involved

1. Banned Industrial Dyes (Illegal Adulterants): Rhodamine-B, Metanil Yellow, Malachite Green, Sudan dyes (I–IV), Butter Yellow, Auramine and Orange II.
2. Permitted Synthetic Colours: Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow FCF, Carmoisine, Ponceau 4R, Erythrosine, Brilliant Blue FCF, Fast Green FCF and Indigo Carmine.

Legal Framework

1. Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006: The main law that punishes the making, sale and distribution of adulterated food.
2. FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011: Lists permitted colours by food category, sets Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and a general limit of 100 mg/kg (up to 200 mg/kg in some canned fruits).

Key Rules

1. Cooked Foods: Synthetic colours are banned in everyday cooked food such as dal, biryani, curries, fries, bread and chutneys.
2. Unprocessed Foods: No added artificial colour in milk, paneer, fruits, vegetables, juices, spices, pulses, honey and infant formula.
3. Category Limits: Allowed only in listed categories, generally up to 100 mg/kg.
4. Traceability: Needs precise digital weighing, purchase from licensed manufacturers and valid batch details and invoices.

Health Implications

1. Toxicity: Rhodamine-B and Sudan dyes carry cancer risk and may damage the liver and kidneys.
2. Allergies: Permitted dyes like Tartrazine and Carmoisine may cause hives, swelling and asthma-like reactions in sensitive people.
3. Children: Coloured snacks, cotton candy and ice lollies may expose children to unsafe dyes, affecting health and behaviour.

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