Food color

Food color, also known as food dye or food coloring, is a substance added to food or drink to change its color. Food color is used both in commercial food production and in domestic cooking.

History

The use of food color dates back to ancient times. The Ancient Egyptians used natural food colorings such as saffron and indigo to enhance the appearance of their food. In the Middle Ages, food color was often used to signify the status of the person eating it. For example, bright colors were often associated with the nobility, while dull colors were associated with the lower classes.

Types of Food Color

There are two main types of food color: natural and artificial.

Natural Food Color

Natural food color is derived from plants, animals, and minerals. Examples include beet juice, turmeric, paprika, and spinach powder. Natural food colors are generally considered safer than artificial ones, but they can be less stable and have a shorter shelf life.

Artificial Food Color

Artificial food color is made from synthetic chemicals. Examples include Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Blue No. 1. Artificial food colors are more stable and vibrant than natural ones, but they have been linked to health problems such as allergies and hyperactivity in children.

Regulation

The use of food color is regulated by government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the European Union. These agencies set limits on the amount of food color that can be used in food and require manufacturers to list food color on the product label.

Health Concerns

There is ongoing debate about the safety of food color. Some studies have linked artificial food color to health problems such as allergies, hyperactivity in children, and even cancer. However, other studies have found no such link. The FDA and EFSA maintain that food color is safe for consumption in the amounts typically used in food.

See Also

• Food additive
• Food preservation
• Food industry