Understanding All Dyes Used in Food

Food dyes, also known as color additives, are used to provide colors to different food products, including food & beverages, cakes, juice, confectionary items, sausage casings, baked goods, powdered drink mixes, candies, carbonated drinks, gelatin desserts, and many other foods. The use of FD&C dyes is worldwide due to its powerful capability to provide more vibrant colors and hues more effectively. 

Food dyes are primarily used to improve the visual appearance, making the product more appealing and attractive. These colors or coloring agents are derived from chemically synthesized process ingredients including natural colors in a laboratory. Many of these food colorings or color additives are also used as coloring agents in different industrial applications, including cosmetics, drugs, and other products, like mouthwash and toothpaste.

All right! In this blog post, we will talk about all food dyes or synthetic food dyes used in the food & beverage industry. So, let’s dive right into the various kinds of synthetic food dyes currently used in foods. 

What are Food Dyes?

A food dye refers to any color additive, dye, or pigment used to impart color when applied to foods, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals. Food dyes are also known as food colorants, coloring agents, or color additives used to provide various colors and hues or shades to different foods, drinks, and various edible items. You can find these food dyes in a variety of forms, including liquids, powders, gels, and pastes. 

The use of food dyes or coloring agents is widespread in both home cooking and industrial applications, providing an enriching and appealing look to make the food more attractive than ever before. 

Why food dyes are essential?

There are numerous reasons why food dyes are being used in different applications, including but not limited to: 

• Impact various colors, hues, or shades to make food more appealing and attractive. 
• It eliminates the amount of color loss caused by light, air, extreme temperature fluctuations, humidity, and storage conditions.
• Help people determine products through their visual appearance, including confectionery flavors.
• Take into account the natural variations in color.
• To decorate various food items.

All dyes currently used in food

Four primary groups of plant pigments are grown specifically to color food products. Four main groups of plant pigments are grown for coloring food products. However, a few of these pigment groups include carotenoids (E160, E161, E164), chlorophyllins (E140, E141), anthocyanins (E163), and betanins (E162). 

Colorants or derivatives of these fundamental groups may include the following:

• Annatto (E160b), a reddish-orange dye derived from the seed of the achiote.
• Carmine (E120), is a red dye derived from the cochineal insect, Dactylopius coccus.
• Caramel coloring (E150a-d), is derived from caramelized sugar.
• Turmeric/curcumin (E100). 
• Lycopene (E160d).
• Elderberry juice (E163).
• Paprika (E160c).

Artificial/Synthetic Food Dyes

Erythrosine or Erythrosine B, called Red No. 3, eosin B, or food additive E127, is a xanthene dye used for coloring a comprehensive range of foods. The use of Erythrosine B is widespread for numerous food & beverages, including candies, popsicles, and cake-decorating gels. Further, it is an approved food coloring in the United States, European Union, and Indian markets.

Apart from this, it is primarily used for coloring sweets, including candy, popsicles, and cake-decorating gels. The numbering system under which it can be found is as follows:

• FD&C Red No. 3
• E number E127 (Food Red 14)
• Color Index No. 45430 (Acid Red 51)
• Bureau of Indian Standards No. 1697

1. Tartrazine

The tartrazine acid is an organic salt of tartrazine that contains trisodium. Analogous to a hydrophilic anionic dye, it is an azo dye. This color is also known as Yellow 5 Lake and Food Yellow 4. However, tartrazine triggers allergic reactions in asthmatic or aspirin-sensitive individuals and has been banned in various countries such as Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, and Austria. 

These food dyes are widely used food colorants that are certified & approved for use in food in the United States and India.

• FD&C Yellow 5
• E number E102 (Food Yellow 4)
• Color Index No. 19140 (Acid Yellow 23)
• Bureau of Indian Standards No. 1694

2. Allura Red AC

Allura Red AC is one of the most popular dyes used across the world. It was originally introduced as a replacement for amaranth, but it has now been FDA-approved for use in cosmetics, medications, and food. It is listed under the following number systems:

• FD&C Red No.40
• E number E129 (Food Red 17)
• Color Index no. 16035 

This famous Allura Red AC dye is widespread for use in different applications, including but not limited to children’s pharmaceuticals, tattoo ink, cherry-flavored products, cotton candy, soft beverages, and dairy products.

3. Sunset Yellow FCF

Sunset Yellow FCF, also called FD&C Yellow No. 6 is approved and permitted for use in coloring pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and foods with a recommended dosage of 3.75 mg/kg. It refers to an azo dye commended from petroleum, providing a comprehensive range of orange shades to foods and nutritional supplements. Sunset Yellow FCF is listed under the below number systems: 

• FD&C Yellow 6
• E number E110
• Color Index no. 15985 (Orange Yellow S)
• Bureau of Indian Standards No. 1695

4. Brilliant Blue FCF

The brilliant blue FCF dye, also called Blue 1, is a triarylmethane dye. It is an approved food colorant in the USA and EU. It is one of the earliest FDA-approved color additives, and its principal use is as a blue coloring agent in processed foods, pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. Brilliant Blue FCF is generally regarded as safe, chemical-free, and non-toxic. It is listed under the following number systems:

• FD&C Blue No.1
• E number E133 (Food Blue 1)
• Color Index no. 42090 (Acid Blue 9)
• Bureau of Indian Standards No. 6406

5. Indigo Carmine

Indigo Carmine, also called Indigotindisulfonate Sodium, is a type of organic chemical derived from subjecting indigo to aromatic sulfonation. It is approved as a food dye to be used in food coloring in the U.S and E.U. to produce a blue color and is listed under the following number systems:

• FD&C Blue No.2
• E number E132 
• Color Index no. 73015 (Acid Blue 74)
• Bureau of Indian Standards No. 1698

Conclusion

In the bottom line, it can be said that there are various FD&C dyes approved and permitted for use in a variety of industrial applications, including food, drugs, and cosmetics. These dyes are regulated by the FDA’s stringent guidelines and safety standards to ensure they meet the rigorous testing protocols and requirements. If you are a business interested in knowing more about a comprehensive range of dyes used in food, we are here for you. 

Are you a business seeking high-quality food dyes for your business, look no further than Hridhan Chem. Hridhan Chem is a leading manufacturer and exporter of premium quality synthetic dyes and pigments in India. Don’t be shy, get in touch with us today!