抄録
Color additives are an important ingredient in a wide range of food, beverage and consumer products. Surveys consistently show that consumers select and enjoy products because of their color. Color is often the first characteristic that influences the purchasing decision.
This article examines several interesting and unique aspects of color additive regulation in the United States. Understanding these requirements and procedures is important for companies that want to supply the U.S. market. This article will explore the process of synthetic color additive certification which is managed by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration, the provisional status of color additive lakes, and unique labeling restrictions for colors made from natural raw materials. The article will also address persistent questions about synthetic colors and the suggested connection to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Finally, there will be an examination of gaps in the characterization and standardization of colors from natural raw materials.
Unfortunately, color additive characterization and regulation are not harmonized among the major industrial markets. Several developed countries have approved more color additives than the U.S. The current process for requesting approval of new color additives in the U.S. is very expensive for the manufacturers. Because different countries have different lists of approved color additives, companies are forced to create unique product formulations for different markets, resulting in higher research, development and production costs. The challenges related to color additive use are significant and in the United States the regulations and procedures are challenging.
