Latest news with #E110
AsiaOne
22-07-2025
- Health
- AsiaOne
Health hazard or harmless hue: Should you be worried about the food dye in your kaya and Thai tea?, Lifestyle News
If you've ever ordered kaya toast or Thai milk tea, chances are you've encountered Sunset Yellow FCF, a synthetic food dye commonly used in drinks, sweets and snacks. FCF stands for "for colouring food", meaning the dye has been specifically manufactured and certified for use in food. Recently in Thailand, alarm bells were raised about the yellow-orange dye's safety after the country's consumer council had revealed that high levels of it were found in Thai tea products sold there, according to an article by Bangkok Post. In response to those concerns, the Bangkok Post said that several major Thai drink brands have launched Thai tea products featuring natural colouring alternatives instead. In Singapore, Sunset Yellow FCF, also known as E110, is found in a variety of consumer products, from food like kaya, candies and snacks to beverages, according to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). While it has been certified to be safe for use, could there be cause for some concern in Singapore? Dr Vinayak Ghate, lecturer at the Department of Food Science and Technology at the National University of Singapore, shared with AsiaOne that Sunset Yellow FCF is thought to be linked to several health concerns. He shared that in humans, it has been linked to mild allergic-like reactions such as hives, abdominal discomfort or hyperactivity, particularly in sensitive children; while in animals, it has been associated with chromosome damage and kidney tumours. But here is where context is important. According to Dr Ghate, those associations are only made at high doses "well beyond permissible limits". "It's worth noting that such health concerns can be raised for many, if not all, food additives and ingredients when consumed in excess. As toxicology reminds us, the dose makes the poison," he said. A search online by AsiaOne also showed that while several studies have attempted to establish a link between the dye and health concerns like cancer and hyperactivity in children, the results were inconclusive. But should Singaporeans be worried given how widely the dye is used here? According to SFA — in response to a forum letter in The Straits Times regarding the safety of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in food and drinks such as Sunset Yellow FCF — the agency takes "a science-based risk management approach that is consistent with international standards to ensure food safety". It added that synthetic colouring compounds allowed for use in food in Singapore "must first be assessed by SFA to be safe for consumption" and that when assessing the safety of such colourings, it takes reference from the assessments by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Additionally, to keep up with scientific updates, SFA conducts reviews on food safety standards periodically to closely monitor for new scientific evidence and "engages other regulators on the impact of synthetic food colourings on human health". SFA's website also states that "under the Singapore Food Regulations, only permitted colourings are allowed to be used in food and SFA has in place a food sampling and testing programme to ensure compliance with these regulations". Dr Ghate also reassured that there is no need for concern over synthetic dyes like Sunset Yellow FCF. "The level of Sunset Yellow FCF, like any food dye, is carefully controlled in processed food to be within the permissible limit. Hence, there is no reason to be concerned about its presence in our food," he said. This is backed by SFA, which stated in an article on its website explaining how it ensures that food additives are safe and that "the levels of permitted food additives used, both in imported or locally manufactured food, must also be within the maximum levels allowed under the Singapore Food Regulations". But are food additives and colourings like Sunset Yellow FCF unhealthy in general? According to Dr Ghate, the safety of an ingredient or food additive is not decided by whether it's natural or synthetic, but by its dose. He explained: "The first principle of toxicology states that the dose makes the poison. No substance is absolutely safe and no substance is absolutely harmful. "It is the dose that decides whether a substance is harmful or not. Similarly, Sunset Yellow FCF is safe when consumed within permissible limits." On its website, SFA states that food additives have "various useful functions in food", such as: Improving taste, texture or appearance; Improving or maintaining nutritional value; Preserving food to ensure its safety during shelf-life. As for why Sunset Yellow FCF has such a bad reputation to some, Dr Ghate shared that it might be due to chemophobia, an "irrational fear of chemicals". "Humans are wired for preferring substances that appear natural (this is called 'appeal to nature') over those that appear synthetic, even though this has no bearing on how good they are for our body," he explained. And while it's considered safe here, countries in the European Union have made it mandatory to put warning labels on products containing artificial dyes like Sunset Yellow FCF. Dr Ghate explained that the regulatory limits of an additive are decided by a few factors including: scientific evidence, public sensitivities as well as political culture. "Some jurisdictions are known to be more conservative than others. It is worth noting that this is not purely a scientific exercise," he explained. "Even on the scientific front, there are many studies that have to be weighed in before arriving at a decision. Studies may use different biological markers, different animal models or different experimental designs. Regulatory bodies of different countries may choose to weight these studies differently, depending on what applies best to their own population," he added. As for those who are still concerned or prefer to err on the side of caution, are there any alternatives to synthetic dyes like Sunset Yellow FCF? According to Dr Ghate, there are several options specific to Sunset Yellow FCF such as curcumin (a naturally occurring compound in turmeric), riboflavin (a vitamin found in various food sources like dairy, meats, fish and vegetables like spinach and mushrooms) and lutein (a pigment commonly found in egg yolk as well as yellow and orange fruits and vegetables). However, he also noted that their "suitability under processing conditions, stability during the product's shelf-life and effect on taste and texture need to be considered before using them as replacements". [[nid:714614]]
News24
18-05-2025
- Business
- News24
Can't claim ‘no artificial colours' while listing some on your chip packet, ad watchdog rules
The packaging on Master Chips has been found to be misleading for claiming the snacks have 'no artificial colours'. While the company argued its claim was true, the ingredient list included synthetic dyes E110 and E104. The ARB accepted the company was being truthful, but ruled the labelling was inconsistent and could confuse consumers. For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page. The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has upheld a complaint against The Snack Chip Co. over misleading claims that its Master Chips contained no synthetic colouring. While the front of the packaging claims 'no artificial colors', the ingredients listed on the back of the package include synthetic dyes. The list included synthetic dyes E110 (Sunset Yellow) and E104 (Quinoline Yellow). The complainant argued that the labelling created confusion and misled health-conscious consumers, who rely on accurate product information. The company argued that while synthetic dyes were listed as E-numbers for 'classification and traceability purposes,' the actual product formulations did not contain artificial colourants. The ARB ruled against The Snack Chip Co., stating that the packaging was indeed misleading. 'While the directorate accepts that the sworn guarantee by the flavour supplier should be true, the directorate cannot comprehend why, then, unused ingredients that contradict the 'no artificial colors' statement, are listed on the back of the packaging,' the ruling read. According to the ARB, the presence of synthetic dyes in the ingredient list directly contradicted the front claim of 'no artificial colours', creating an inconsistency that could confuse or mislead consumers. The ARB instructed the respondents to remove the statement from the product packaging entirely or ensure that the ingredients list accurately reflects the product's actual composition.
Khaleej Times
28-04-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Food dyes may cause anxiety, hyperactivity, mood swings among kids, warn doctors
Doctors in the UAE are warning that food dyes can cause hyperactivity, mood swings and irritability in some children and teenagers. The concern has once again gained attention following the recent announcement by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about new plans to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from food supply. Research indicates that food dyes can contribute to hyperactivity and mood issues among young people. If consumed regularly, dyed foods could also make children feel more anxious and high-strung. Dr Fatma Mohamed Mahmoud Ibrahim, specialist pediatrics, Burjeel Medical Centre, Al Shamkha, said, 'Studies like the Southampton study and reviews by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found that some food dyes, especially when combined with preservatives, may worsen these behaviors. Recently, the FDA has started to review these findings more seriously. "In the UAE, we are seeing similar patterns as children's diets have more processed foods and snacks containing these dyes. A study by UAE University has also raised concerns about this, although, we still need more research to understand the full long-term impact on our local population.' Synthetic dyes common in children's products Medics explained synthetic food dyes are very common in the UAE, especially in products aimed at kids, 'like candies, colorful cereals, juices, and bakery items. Many products still use dyes like Tartrazine (E102), Sunset Yellow (E110), and Allura Red (E129),' added Ibrahim. Notably, in a social media post earlier this year, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment UAE (MOCCEUAE) emphasised ongoing updates to technical standards to protect consumer health. They stated that UAE regulations set safe limits for colourant additives based on risk assessments and global standards. Imported foods also undergo strict inspections and testing with local authorities to ensure safety. Worsening food consumption patterns Dr Mamata Bothra, specialist pediatrics and neonatologist, International Modern Hospital Dubai, said, 'Food dyes can definitely worsen signs of hyperactivity and also make some children more agitated.' Healthcare experts highlighted studies have shown associations between exposure to synthetic food dyes and the exacerbation of symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 'I have seen a rise in these cases in recent years and exposure to food dyes in the early years is also seen to be causing a rise in these symptoms. Children consuming percentage of food with artificial dyes is three to four times more than seen in late 90s and early years of 2000. These effects can have long time implication in terms of behaviour. Lots of mood swings, agitations, increase in anxiety, decreased focus and sleep disorders are seen in children consuming high percentage of these food stuff. "Overall, everywhere the use of synthetic dyes has increased. The availability of packed foods, consumption of aerated coloured drinks, fast foods, candies etc are all on a rise,' added Bothra. Dr Fatma Mohamed Mahmoud Ibrahim, specialist pediatrics, Burjeel Medical Centre, Al Shamkha, said, 'While specific UAE-wide data on this topic is still emerging, the high availability of processed foods in our markets makes this concern highly relevant.' However, doctors pointed out most of the time, the effects are short-term. Symptoms like restlessness, mood swings, and poor concentration often happen within a few hours after eating foods with dyes. However, if children keep eating these foods regularly, it could add up over time and affect their long-term behavior and learning issues. 'Parents play a crucial role…they should carefully check food labels, opt for natural color alternatives, and reduce the overall consumption of highly processed foods. Creating a healthier, dye-free diet can significantly improve a child's behavior, learning ability, and overall wellbeing,' added Ibrahim.
