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In the evolving world of the food industry, colour plays a crucial role. Colour makes the product appealing, which attracts the attention of customers and boosts sales. Many governmental bodies around the world regulate the use of food colour in products. In the European Union, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) is the governmental body that approves the use of colour in products and checks its quality in products on the European markets. Manufacturers who sell or export their products in the European market must follow all the regulatory guidelines set by EFSA to sell products without any problem.
In this article, we talk about the latest EFSA-approved synthetic food colours and how manufacturers can use them effectively in their products.
What Does EFSA Approval Mean for Manufacturers
EFSA approval confirms that the colour is scientifically tested for safety, purity, and acceptable daily intake (ADI). For manufacturers, this approval means:
- The product is legally accepted in all EU member countries
- It reduces the risk of product rejections and recalls
- Manufacturers confidently sell their products to global buyers and brands
- Make compliance with EU labelling and food laws easy
If your products are exported or consumed in the European market, EFSA compliance for food products is not optional, it's mandatory.
EFSA-Approved Synthetic Food Colours with their E-number
EFSA frequently updates its regulations on food colours, such as the list of permitted colours, usage limit, and acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels. Currently, EFSA approves 15 synthetic food colours for use in food and some non-food applications in the European Union. Let’s take a closer look at these colours, their E-numbers, and some applications in which they are commonly used:
| Colour Name | E-Number | Common Usage |
| Tartrazine | E102 | Beverages, Confectionery, and Convenience foods. |
| Quinoline Yellow WS | E104 | Confectionery, Bakery Products, and Processed Foods. |
| Sunset Yellow FCF / Orange Yellow S | E110 | Beverages, Confectionery, and Desserts. |
| Azorubine / Carmoisine | E122 | Sweets, Bakery Items, and Beverages. |
| Amaranth | E123 | Beverages, Desserts, and Sauces. |
| Ponceau 4R / Cochineal Red A | E124 | Glazed Cherries, Toppings, and Coatings. |
| Allura Red AC | E129 | Ice Creams, Bakery Products, and Snack coatings. |
| Patent Blue V | E131 | Beverages, Ice Creams, and Bakery Icings. |
| Indigo Carmine / Indigotine | E132 | Confectionery, Bakery Items, and Beverages. |
| Brilliant Blue FCF | E133 | Ice Creams, Frostings, and Desserts. |
| Green S | E142 | Beverages, Baked Goods, and Frozen Desserts. |
| Brilliant Black BN | E151 | Coatings, Sweets, and Some Beverage Formulations. |
| Brown HT (Chocolate Brown HT) | E155 | Chocolate Products, Cakes, and Biscuits. |
| Litholrubine BK | E180 | Edible Cheese Rind, Sausages, and Confectionery Products. |
Key Compliance Points Manufacturers Should Follow
Manufacturers who are selling or exporting their products in the European market should always update with the latest EFSA-approved colour list and use these colours in their products with compliance guidelines that help in growing their business in the European countries. Some key compliance points manufacturers should always follow include:
- Use only EFSA-approved colours with their valid E-numbers.
- Follow the maximum permitted usage limit of colour on the product to maintain ADI.
- Ensure proper labelling according to EU regulations on their products.
- Try to maintain appropriate documentation of their products that are ready for audits and exports.
- Always source colours from a treasured and reliable food colour manufacturer that provides quality certifications to ensure the quality of colour, like Ajanta Food Colours.
Manufacturers looking for high-quality EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) approved colours for their products can choose Ajanta Food Colours, a leading synthetic food colour manufacturer in India with over 75 years of legacy. Ajanta Food Colours has been exporting EFSA-approved food colours to various countries in the European Union, which use them in a wide range of manufacturing industries.
Conclusion
The use of the latest EFSA-approved food colours fulfils more than just legal requirements. It ensures that the colours are safe for human consumption, improves the visual appeal of the product, which boosts sales. Manufacturers should be aware of the latest EFSA-approved food colours in order to keep their product quality intact, maintain brand trust, and for the expansion into the European Union market.
Using the EFSA-approved, high-quality synthetic food colours today to build safer and more competitive products for tomorrow.