Artificial colours in soft drinks survey shows 98% compliance
Wednesday 21 May 2003
A Food Standards Agency survey of artificial colourings in soft drinks reveals that although 98% of the soft drinks tested did not contain any artificial colourings above the permitted limit, four had more than the maximum permitted level for individual artificial colours. Four also contained an artificial food colouring that was not listed on the ingredients label.
The maximum permitted level for individual artificial colours is set at 50 milligrams per litre (mg/l). The combined maximum total of artificial colourings permitted in a soft drink is 100mg/l and none of the soft drinks tested in the survey exceeded this level.
Survey details
A total of 201 soft drinks containing artificial colourings were tested. Mace 'Iron Brew' and 330+ 'Iron Brew' made by Villa Soft Drinks, and Budgens 'Active', contained high levels of Sunset Yellow FCF (E110). 'Chubby Red' made by Spanish company Snaya Kids S.L, contained high levels of Carmoisine (E122).
The levels of Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) and Carmoisine (E122) found by the survey to be over the legal limit, are not considered to be of concern to health.
The four soft drinks that contained an artificial food colouring not listed on the ingredients label were Supervalu 'Red Lemonade' and DG Jamaica 'Strawberry Soda', which both contained a small amount of Quinoline Yellow (E104); Bigga 'Grape', which contained Carmoisine (E122), and 'Chubby Blue' made by Snaya Kids F.L, which contained a small amount of the artificial colouring Green S (E142).
Agency action
The Food Standards Agency has taken action together with the relevant local authorities to address these findings, and has received assurances from both Budgens and Villa Soft Drinks that they have taken urgent measures to ensure colours are below the permitted legal limit.
Supervalu, Bigga and DG Jamaica have also acted immediately to ensure that the ingredient labels on their soft drinks show all the colourings used in the product.
Snaya Kids S.L, the manufacturer of both 'Chubby Red' and 'Chubby Blue' is based in Spain and enforcement action is being taken forward by the Spanish Ministry of Health and the Spanish regional authority of Murcia.
‘'The Agency will continue to monitor the use of artificial colourings and labels of soft drinks, and work closely with local authorities to ensure that manufacturers comply fully with additive and labelling regulations.'’
Rhodri Evans, Head of the Food Standards Agency additives branch, said: 'The results of this survey show that the vast majority of soft drink manufacturers are acting responsibly to make sure that levels of individual artificial colourings in their products are not above permitted limits, and that all ingredients are correctly labelled.
'The Agency will continue to monitor the use of artificial colourings and labels of soft drinks, and work closely with local authorities to ensure that manufacturers comply fully with additive and labelling regulations.'
All food additives, including colours, are permitted for use in food only after very careful evaluation.
This includes rigorous safety assessment by the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Food and by the independent committees that advise UK Ministers. This process can take several years before safety can be assured.