21/04/2010

As part of its ongoing re-evaluation of all food additives authorised for use in the European Union, EFSA’s expert Panel on food additives, the ANS Panel, has adopted scientific opinions on three further food colours.

For the colour Brilliant Black BN (E 151), which can be used in a range of different foods, including soft drinks, bakery products and desserts, the Panel confirms the existing Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 5 mg per kilogram of bodyweight established by the Scientific Committee on Food in 1984. The Panel concludes that only some children who regularly consume large amounts of foods containing the colour might exceed this level of intake.

With regard to the colour Brown HT (E 155), which can also be used in soft drinks, bakery products and confectionery, as well as in sauces, seasonings and pickles, the Panel has halved the previous ADI to 1.5 mg per kilogram of bodyweight. This is because adverse effects, such as slightly reduced weight gain, were noted in animals following long-term exposure to this colour at lower levels than those which were used to determine the ADI in previous calculations.

Based on the maximum permitted use levels for this colour, together with food consumption data from several countries, the Panel concludes that exposure to Brown HT could be above the new ADI for adults and children who regularly consume large amounts of foods containing the colour.

The Panel was not able to reach a conclusion on the safety of the colour Brown FK (E 154) due to significant limitations in the toxicological data available.

The Panel published opinions on 6 food colours in November 2009, and is due to assess around thirty remaining colours in the next few years.

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