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Establishing Standards on Colors from Natural Sources.
James E Simon1, Eric A Decker2, Mario G Ferruzzi3
1New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program, Dept. of Plant Biology, Rutgers Univ., Foran Hall, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, U.S.A.
Journal of Food Science
|October 15, 2017
Summary
Consumer demand for natural colors in food, drugs, and cosmetics is rising. However, these natural color additives lack FDA evaluation, increasing risks of adulteration and contamination, necessitating industry-wide safety standards.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Regulatory Science
- Cosmetic Science
Background:
- Color additives are crucial in food, drug, and cosmetic products, influencing consumer purchasing decisions.
- The U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines color additives and categorizes them under FDA regulations.
- While certified colors undergo strict quality control, naturally sourced colors are exempt from FDA certification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the increasing market application of natural colors.
- To address the risks associated with the lack of FDA evaluation for natural colors.
- To emphasize the need for consistent industry-wide safety standards for natural color additives.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations regarding color additives.
- Examination of the definition and categorization of color additives under the FD&C Act.
- Review of the safety and quality control differences between certified and natural colors.
Main Results:
- Consumer preference is shifting towards natural colors, increasing their market presence.
- Natural colors lack FDA evaluation and standardized quality specifications, posing risks.
- Potential for economic adulteration, misbranding, and contamination (physical, chemical, microbial) in natural colors is significant.
Conclusions:
- The popularity of natural colors presents challenges due to a lack of regulatory oversight and defined safety standards.
- Adulteration risks range from mislabeling to serious contamination from sourcing and processing.
- Development of consistent, industry-wide safety standards is essential for natural color manufacturing, processing, application, and trade to ensure product quality and safety.
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