Food Color
The colour of food is an integral part of our culture and enjoyment of life. Even early civilizations such as the Romans recognized that people "eat with their eyes" as well as their palates. Saffron and other spices were often used to provide a rich yellow colour to various foods. Butter has been coloured yellow as far back as the 1300's.
Today, all food colour additives are carefully regulated by authorities to ensure that foods are safe to eat and accurately labeled.
Why Are Colour Additives Used In Foods?
Colour variation in foods throughout the seasons and the effects of food processing and storage often require that manufacturers add colour to certain foods to meet consumer expectations. The primary reasons of adding colours to foods include:
To offset colour loss due to exposure to light, air, extremes of temperature, moisture and storage conditions.
To correct natural variations in colour. Off-coloured foods are often incorrectly associated with inferior quality. For example, some tree-ripened oranges are often sprayed with Citrus Red No.2 to correct the natural orangy-brown or mottled green colour of their peels (Masking inferior quality, however, is an unacceptable use of colours.)
To enhance colours that occur naturally but at levels weaker than those usually associated with a given food.
To provide a colourful identity to foods that would otherwise be virtually colourless. Red colours provide a pleasant identity to strawberry ice while lime sherbet is known by its bright green colour.
To provide a colourful appearance to certain "fun foods." Many candies and holiday treats are coloured to create a festive appearance.
To protect flavours and vitamins that may be affected by sunlight during storage.
Tartrazine
| Colour Index No. |
19140 |
| Food Colour No. |
Yellow 4 |
| F.D. & C. No. |
Yellow 5 |
| CAS NO. |
1934-21-0 |
| E.E.C. No. |
E-102 |
| I.S. No. |
1694 |
| Total Dye Content Corrected for Sample (Min.) |
87% |
| Volatile Matter (chloride & sulphate) (Max) |
13% |
| Solubility In Water (20oc) |
120 gram / litre |
| Combined Ether Extract. (Max) |
0.20% |
| Water Insoluble (Max) |
0.20% |
| Class |
Monoazo |
| Light Stability |
6 |
| Heat Stability (100oc) |
5 |
| Alkali Stability |
4 |
| Subsidiary Dyes (MAX) |
1.00% |
| Dyes Intermediate (Max) |
0.50% |
| Lead |
< 10 ppm |
| Arsenic |
< 3 ppm |
| Mercury |
< 1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals |
< 20 ppm |
Carmoisine
| Colour Index No. |
14720 |
| Food Colour No. |
Red 3 |
| CAS NO. |
53026-69-9 |
| E.E.C. No. |
E-122 |
| I.S. No. |
2923 |
| Total Dye Content Corrected for Sample (Min.) |
87% |
| Volatile Matter (chloride & sulphate) (Max) |
13% |
| Solubility In Water (20oc) |
120 gram / litre |
| Combined Ether Extract. (Max) |
0.20% |
| Water Insoluble (Max) |
0.20% |
| Class |
Monoazo |
| Light Stability |
5 |
| Heat Stability (100oc) |
4 |
| Alkali Stability |
4 |
| Subsidiary Dyes (MAX) |
1.00% |
| Dyes Intermediate (Max) |
0.50% |
| Lead |
< 10 ppm |
| Arsenic |
< 3 ppm |
| Mercury |
< 1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals |
< 20 ppm |
Sunset Yellow FCF
| Colour Index No. |
15985 |
| Food Colour No. |
Yellow 3 |
| F.D. & C. No. |
Yellow 6 |
| CAS NO. |
2783-94-0 |
| E.E.C. No. |
E-110 |
| I.S. No. |
1695 |
| Total Dye Content Corrected for Sample (Min.) |
87% |
| Volatile Matter (chloride & sulphate) (Max) |
13% |
| Solubility In Water (20oc) |
120 gram / litre |
| Combined Ether Extract. (Max) |
0.20% |
| Water Insoluble (Max) |
0.20% |
| Class |
Monoazo |
| Light Stability |
4 |
| Heat Stability (100oc) |
5 |
| Alkali Stability |
4 |
| Subsidiary Dyes (MAX) |
3.00% |
| Dyes Intermediate (Max) |
0.50% |
| Lead |
< 10 ppm |
| Arsenic |
< 3 ppm |
| Mercury |
< 1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals |
< 20 ppm |
Ponceau 4R
| Colour Index No. |
16255 |
| Food Colour No. |
Red 7 |
| CAS NO. |
2611-82-7 |
| E.E.C. No. |
E-124 |
| I.S. No. |
2558 |
| Total Dye Content Corrected for Sample (Min.) |
82% |
| Volatile Matter (chloride & sulphate) (Max) |
18% |
| Solubility In Water (20oc) |
120 gram / litre |
| Combined Ether Extract. (Max) |
0.20% |
| Water Insoluble (Max) |
0.20% |
| Class |
Monoazo |
| Light Stability |
4 |
| Heat Stability (100oc) |
5 |
| Alkali Stability |
3 |
| Subsidiary Dyes (MAX) |
1.00% |
| Dyes Intermediate (Max) |
0.50% |
| Lead |
< 10 ppm |
| Arsenic |
< 3 ppm |
| Mercury |
< 1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals |
< 20 ppm |
Chocolate Brown HT
| Colour Index No. |
20285 |
| Food Colour No. |
Brown 3 |
| CAS NO. |
4553-89-3 |
| E.E.C. No. |
E-155 |
| Total Dye Content Corrected for Sample (Min.) |
70% |
| Volatile Matter (chloride & sulphate) (Max) |
30% |
| Solubility In Water (20oc) |
120 gram / litre |
| Combined Ether Extract. (Max) |
0.20% |
| Water Insoluble (Max) |
0.20% |
| Class |
Bisazo |
| Light Stability |
4 |
| Heat Stability (100oc) |
5 |
| Alkali Stability |
4 |
| Subsidiary Dyes (MAX) |
10.00% |
| Dyes Intermediate (Max) |
0.70% |
| Lead |
< 10 ppm |
| Arsenic |
< 1 ppm |
| Mercury |
< 1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals |
< 20 ppm |
Amaranth
| Colour Index No. |
16185 |
| Food Colour No. |
Red 9 |
| F.D. & C. No. |
Red 2 |
| CAS NO. |
115-67-3 |
| E.E.C. No. |
E-123 |
| Total Dye Content Corrected for Sample (Min.) |
87% |
| Volatile Matter (chloride & sulphate) (Max) |
13% |
| Solubility In Water (20oc) |
120 gram / litre |
| Combined Ether Extract. (Max) |
0.20% |
| Water Insoluble (Max) |
0.20% |
| Class |
Monoazo |
| Light Stability |
4 |
| Heat Stability (100oc) |
5 |
| Alkali Stability |
4 |
| Subsidiary Dyes (MAX) |
1.00% |
| Dyes Intermediate (Max) |
0.50% |
| Lead |
< 10 ppm |
| Arsenic |
< 1 ppm |
| Mercury |
< 1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals |
< 20 ppm |
Allura Red
| Colour Index No. |
16035 |
| Food Colour No. |
Red 17 |
| F.D. & C. No. |
Red 40 |
| CAS NO. |
25956-17-6 |
| E.E.C. No. |
E-129 |
| Total Dye Content Corrected for Sample (Min.) |
85% |
| Volatile Matter (chloride & sulphate) (Max) |
15% |
| Solubility In Water (20oc) |
120 gram / litre |
| Combined Ether Extract. (Max) |
0.20% |
| Water Insoluble (Max) |
0.20% |
| Class |
Monoazo |
| Light Stability |
4 |
| Heat Stability (100oc) |
5 |
| Alkali Stability |
4 |
| Subsidiary Dyes (MAX) |
10.00% |
| Dyes Intermediate (Max) |
0.50% |
| Lead |
< 10 ppm |
| Arsenic |
< 1 ppm |
| Mercury |
< 1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals |
< 20 ppm |
Brilliant Blue FCF
| Colour Index No. |
42090 |
| Food Colour No. |
Blue 2 |
| F.D. & C. No. |
Blue 1 |
| CAS NO. |
3844-45-9 |
| E.E.C. No. |
E-133 |
| I.S. No. |
6406 |
| Total Dye Content Corrected for Sample (Min.) |
87% |
| Volatile Matter (chloride & sulphate) (Max) |
13% |
| Solubility In Water (20oc) |
120 gram / litre |
| Combined Ether Extract. (Max) |
0.20% |
| Water Insoluble (Max) |
0.20% |
| Class |
Triarylmethane |
| Light Stability |
5 |
| Heat Stability (100oc) |
5 |
| Alkali Stability |
5 |
| Subsidiary Dyes (MAX) |
3.00% |
| Dyes Intermediate (Max) |
1.80% |
| Lead |
< 10 ppm |
| Arsenic |
< 3 ppm |
| Mercury |
< 1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals |
< 20 ppm |
Indigo Carmine
| Colour Index No. |
73015 |
| Food Colour No. |
Blue 1 |
| F.D. & C. No. |
Blue 2 |
| CAS NO. |
860-22-0 |
| E.E.C. No. |
E-132 |
| I.S. No. |
1698 |
| Total Dye Content Corrected for Sample (Min.) |
87% |
| Volatile Matter (chloride & sulphate) (Max) |
13% |
| Solubility In Water (20oc) |
120 gram / litre |
| Combined Ether Extract. (Max) |
0.20% |
| Water Insoluble (Max) |
0.20% |
| Class |
Triarylmethane |
| Light Stability |
6 |
| Heat Stability (100oc) |
5 |
| Alkali Stability |
3 |
| Subsidiary Dyes (MAX) |
1.00% |
| Dyes Intermediate (Max) |
1.00% |
| Lead |
< 10 ppm |
| Arsenic |
< 3 ppm |
| Mercury |
< 1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals |
< 20 ppm |
Erythrosine
| Colour Index No. |
45430 |
| Food Colour No. |
Red 14 |
| F.D. & C. No. |
Red 3 |
| CAS NO. |
16423-68-0 |
| E.E.C. No. |
E-127 |
| I.S. No. |
1697 |
| Total Dye Content Corrected for Sample (Min.) |
87% |
| Volatile Matter (chloride & sulphate) (Max) |
13% |
| Solubility In Water (20oc) |
120 gram / litre |
| Combined Ether Extract. (Max) |
0.20% |
| Water Insoluble (Max) |
0.20% |
| Class |
Xanthene |
| Light Stability |
3 |
| Heat Stability (100oc) |
4 |
| Alkali Stability |
3 |
| Subsidiary Dyes (MAX) |
4.00% |
| Dyes Intermediate (Max) |
0.50% |
| Lead |
< 10 ppm |
| Arsenic |
< 3 ppm |
| Mercury |
< 1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals |
< 20 ppm |
Quinoline Yellow
| Colour Index No. |
47005 |
| Food Colour No. |
Yellow 13 |
| F.D. & C. No. |
Yellow 10 |
| CAS NO. |
100208-62-6 |
| E.E.C. No. |
E-104 |
| Total Dye Content Corrected for Sample (Min.) |
70% |
| Volatile Matter (chloride & sulphate) (Max) |
30% |
| Solubility In Water (20oc) |
120 gram / litre |
| Combined Ether Extract. (Max) |
0.20% |
| Water Insoluble (Max) |
0.20% |
| Class |
Xanthene |
| Light Stability |
4 |
| Heat Stability (100oc) |
4 |
| Alkali Stability |
4 |
| Subsidiary Dyes (MAX) |
1.50% |
| Dyes Intermediate (Max) |
0.50% |
| Lead |
< 10 ppm |
| Arsenic |
< 3 ppm |
| Mercury |
< 1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals |
< 20 ppm |
Blended Colours
| Egg Yellow |
BO 3090 |
| Yolk Yellow |
BO 4590 |
| Orange Red |
BO 3890 |
| Straberry Red |
BO 4290 |
| Rose Pink |
BO 4190 |
| Raspeberry Red |
BO 4090 |
| Grape |
BO 3290 |
| Violet |
BO 4490 |
| Coffee Brown |
BO 2690 |
| Chocolate Brown |
BO 2490 |
| Dark Chocolate |
BO 2890 |
| Lime Green |
BO 3690 |
| Apple Green |
BO 2190 |
| Pea Green |
BO 3990 |
| Black Current |
BO 2290 |
| Kesar Supra |
BO 3190 |
| Falsa |
BO 4790 |
| Khala Khatta |
BO 1290 |
| Dark Orange |
BO 5290 |
| Purple |
BO 3790 |
| Black |
BO 5390 |
Lake Colours
| PRODUCT |
COLOUR INDEX NO. |
E. E. C. NO. |
OTHER NAME |
| Lake Tartrazine |
19140 |
E 102 |
F.D. & C.Yellow 5 Food Yellow 4 |
| Lake Allura Red |
16035 |
E 129 |
F.D. & C. Red 40 Food Red 17 |
| Lake Brilliant Blue FCF |
42090 |
E 133 |
F.D. & C. Blue 1 Food Blue 2 |
| Lake Ponceau 4R |
16255 |
E 124 |
Food Red 7 |
| Lake Erythrosine |
45430 |
E 127 |
F.D. & C. Red 3 Food Red 14 |
| Lake Indigo Carmine |
73015 |
E 132 |
F.D. & C. Blue 2 Food Blue 1 |
| Lake Amaranth |
16185 |
E 123 |
F.D. & C. Red 2 Food Red 9 |
| Lake Quinoline Yellow |
47005 |
E 104 |
D. & C. Yellow 10 Food Yellow 13 |
| Lake Carmoisine |
14720 |
E 122 |
Food Red 3 Azorubine |
| Lake Sunset Yellow FCF |
15985 |
E 110 |
F.D. & C. Yellow 6 Food Yellow 3 |
| Lake Brown HT |
20285 |
E 155 |
--- |
| Lake Black PN |
28440 |
E 151 |
--- |
| Blended Lake |
All Blended Lake Colours Available |
SPECIFICATION
| Appearance |
Fluffy Amorphous Powder |
| Total Dye Content on as is Basis |
Up to 40% |
| Solubility |
Insoluble in Water |
| Moisture Content at 110oC |
Less then 17% |
| Bleeding or free Dye Content |
Less then 0.4% On Dry Basis |
| pH of 2% Slurry in Distilled Water |
3.5 to 5.5 |
| Partical Size |
300 Mesh Or 50 - 80 Microns |
| Bulk Density |
About 0.3 to 0.4 G / ML |
| Heavy Metal |
20 PPM Maximum |
| Lead |
10 PPM Maximum |
| Arsenic & Mercury |
1 PPM Maximum |
