The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) periodically requests reassessments of food additives to ensure that safety evidence is current and reflective of present consumption practices and industrial applications. This latest research is part of ongoing evaluations of additives that the agency has previously classified as safe, in conjunction with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Besides Tartrazine and Allura Red 4C, the researchers reported no safety concerns regarding Ponceau 4R, which is utilized in Europe but banned in the United States.
These three food colorants were part of the 2007 Southampton Six study, which associated six artificial food colors and the preservative sodium benzoate with hyperactivity in children. This finding shocked the industry and significantly boosted the market for natural colors. However, both EFSA and other international experts criticized the study as fundamentally flawed. EFSA maintained its stance on the safety of these colors despite European lawmakers opting for a precautionary approach by requiring warning labels. Conversely, the FDA did not implement similar measures, despite pressure from the Center for Science in the Public Interest to either ban these colors or at least introduce warning labels.
Of the three colorants from the Southampton Six that were not included in the recent safety assessment, two are not permitted in U.S. food products, although they are allowed in the EU. The third, Sunset Yellow, is known as FD&C Yellow 6 in food applications. No toxic effects have been associated with the levels at which it is used, and notably, EFSA has increased the acceptable daily intake for this colorant.
Despite the findings of various studies, the food and beverage industry 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 growing at a rate of 10 to 15% annually. Although a substantial amount of research supports the safety of artificial colorings, consumer preference leans towards more natural ingredients. The release of the Southampton study alarmed many consumers, revealing that manufacturers were using artificial dyes even when natural options were available.
Most consumers tend to prefer natural products over artificial ones, although when the distinction is not emphasized, many still gravitate towards products with bolder colors—something manufacturers should bear in mind. Increasingly, food producers are eliminating artificial colors and flavors from their offerings. A 2014 Nielsen study indicated that over 60% of U.S. consumers prioritized the absence of artificial colors and flavors when shopping for food. For instance, General Mills has removed artificial flavors and colors from some cereals, and Campbell Soup pledged to eliminate these additives from its North American products by the end of 2018. Many other food manufacturers have echoed similar commitments.
In addition, the growing interest in bariatric calcium supplements reflects a broader trend in health-conscious consumer behavior. As consumers increasingly seek natural products, bariatric calcium supplements have gained prominence, aligning with the demand for transparency and quality in food ingredients. This trend further emphasizes the shift towards natural options, including the elimination of artificial additives in food products.