[A 13-week subchronic oral toxicity study of carob germ colour in F344 rats]

A13-week subchronic oral toxicity study of carob germ colour, one of natural colour additives was carried out in F344 rats at dose levels of 5.0, 1.7, 0.6, 0.2 and 0% in the powdered diet. Rats were randomly allocated to 5 groups, each consisting of 10 males and 10 females. No animals died during the experiment and no changes in body weights and food intakes were observed in any dosed groups. Changes indicating obvious toxicity of carob germ colour were not observed in the organ weights, hematological, serum biochemical and histopathological examinations. These findings indicate that the treatment of 5% carob germ colour in diet for 13 weeks did not cause any significant toxicity in rat.