Food Color Testing

Introduction

From the vibrant hues of fresh fruits to the rich tones of spices and the varied shades of processed foods, colors play a crucial role in our perception of taste and quality. Yet have you ever wondered how food color is tested and regulated to ensure the safety and authenticity of what we consume? However, behind the scenes of these rich hues lies an intricate system of food testing, ensuring that the food labels on each product accurately reflect its contents. These tests, conducted in food testing labs, are vital to guarantee the safety and authenticity of what we consume.

What is food color?

Food colors, also known as food additives or colorants, are substances that impart color to food or drink. They can be derived from natural sources, such as fruits, vegetables, and minerals, or they can be synthetically produced. Food colors are used in a wide variety of foods, including beverages, candy, baked goods, and even some savoury dishes.

Types of Food Colors

There are two main types of food colors: natural and synthetic.

Natural food colors are derived from natural sources, such as plants, animals, and minerals. Some common examples of natural food colors include anthocyanins (red, blue, and violet), chlorophylls (green), and carotenoids (yellow, orange, and red).

Synthetic food colors are produced in a laboratory. They are often brighter and more stable than natural food colors. Some common examples of synthetic food colors include tartrazine (yellow), Red 40 (red), and Blue 1 (blue).
 

Why is Food Color Testing Important?

Food color testing is important to ensure the safety and quality of food. There are a number of reasons for this:

• Some food colorants can be harmful to human health.
• Some food colorants can cause allergic reactions.
• Some food colorants can be misleading about the quality of food.
  
  

Import and export details of the products undergoing these services (2022-2023/ 2022 data)

According to the United Nations Comtrade Database, the global trade in food color products in 2022 was valued at US$10.8 billion. The top importers of food color products in 2022 were the United States, China, and Mexico. The top exporters of food color products in 2022 were Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

The import and export details of food color products undergoing services in 2022 are as follows:

Growth of Food Color Market in India

The food color market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2022 to 2027. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including:

• Increasing demand for processed food
• Rising disposable incomes
• Growing awareness of the benefits of natural food colors
  
  
  

Standards and regulations

FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)

FSSAI regulates food color additives in India. Key points include:

Permissible Colors: FSSAI categorizes permitted food colors into two types: natural colors derived from natural sources and synthetic colors made artificially.

Regulatory Framework: FSSAI has established regulations outlining permissible limits of various food color additives, ensuring they are safe for consumption.

Labelling Requirements: Manufacturers must accurately label food products with approved food colors and specify the type of color additives used, in compliance with FSSAI guidelines.

EU (European Union)

European Union regulations are governed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Commission. Highlights include:

List of Approved Colors: The EU maintains a list of approved food color additives, specifying those that are permitted and their specific conditions of use.

Safety Assessment: All colors undergo a rigorous safety evaluation by the EFSA before being authorized for use in food products. This evaluation includes considerations for potential health risks and safety thresholds.

E Number System: Approved food colors are assigned an "E number," allowing consumers to identify the specific color additives in food products. For instance, E100 represents curcumin (turmeric).

United States (FDA - Food and Drug Administration)

FDA regulates food colors in the United States under the following guidelines:

Color Additive Approval: The FDA maintains a list of approved color additives and their permitted uses in food, drugs, and cosmetics. These color additives undergo rigorous testing to ensure safety.

FD&C Act: The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act empowers the FDA to oversee the safety and proper use of color additives in various food products.

Labeling and Certification: Similar to FSSAI and the EU, the FDA requires accurate labeling of food products, detailing the specific color additives used. Additionally, certain color additives require certification before use in food.

Mandatory and optional analyses to be performed

Mandatory analyses:

Purity testing: To identify and quantify the presence of the primary coloring agent and any impurities or byproducts. This helps ensure the color is what it claims to be and free from contaminants.

Identification and quantification of all constituents: This involves identifying and quantifying all components in the food color, including the primary coloring agent, any additives, and solvents. This ensures that all constituents are known and within acceptable limits.

Batch-to-batch consistency testing: To ensure that each batch of the food color has consistent properties and meets the specified quality standards.

Heavy metal analysis: To detect and quantify the presence of heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium. This ensures that the color is free from harmful contaminants.

Microbiological testing: To assess the microbiological quality of the food color and ensure it is free from harmful microorganisms like Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus.

Optional analyses:

Spectrophotometric analysis: To measure the absorption spectrum of the food color and determine its color strength and hue. This helps ensure the color meets the specified color characteristics.

Stability testing: To evaluate the stability of the food color under various conditions, such as temperature, light, and pH. This helps determine its shelf life and suitability for different applications.

Solubility testing: To assess the solubility of the food color in various solvents and under different conditions. This helps ensure the color can be effectively incorporated into various food products.

Sensory evaluation: To assess the sensory characteristics of the food color, such as taste, odor, and appearance. This helps ensure the color is acceptable for consumer use.

Allergen testing: To detect and quantify the presence of any potential allergens in the food color, such as nuts, soy, or gluten. This helps ensure the color is safe for consumers with allergies.

Eurofins role in testing food colors

Eurofins is a global leader in laboratory testing services, including those related to food safety and compliance. In the context of food colors and additives, Eurofins offers a range of services that support manufacturers, producers, and regulatory bodies in ensuring the safety and quality of food products.

Specific Services offered by Eurofins in relation to food colors:

1. Regulatory Compliance Testing:

Eurofins conducts testing to ensure that food color additives comply with the regulatory standards set by various authorities such as FSSAI, the EU, and the FDA. This includes assessments of permissible limits and safety thresholds for various color additives.

2. Analytical Testing for Color Additives:

The company performs analyses to determine the composition, purity, and concentration of color additives used in food products. This ensures that the additives meet the required quality and safety standards.

3. Labelling Verification:

Eurofins assists in verifying the accuracy and compliance of food product labels with respect to the declaration of approved color additives, their concentrations, and compliance with regulatory standards.

4. Stability Studies:

Eurofins conducts stability testing of color additives, evaluating their performance under different environmental conditions to ensure their integrity and shelf-life in the final food products.

5. Safety and Allergen Testing:

The company offers additional safety tests to ensure that color additives do not pose risks such as allergens or contaminants. This includes specific allergen testing where applicable.

6. Consultation and Regulatory Support:

Eurofins provides advisory services and support in navigating the complex regulatory landscape, aiding in compliance with food safety regulations set by various authorities worldwide.