Tag: Food colouring

Despite common misunderstandings, E127, also known as Erythrosine, is not completely banned in the UK; its use is strictly limited to certain products like cocktail cherries. A high-profile 2021 incident dubbed "Sprinklegate" highlighted the stringent regulations in place for the red food additive, underscoring significant health and safety concerns.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), E142, or Green S, is approved for use in certain food categories within the European Union. This synthetic green food colouring is added to a wide array of products to enhance their visual appeal, ranging from desserts to certain canned goods, though it is prohibited in countries like the United States and Canada. Consumers can identify which foods contain E142 by checking the ingredient list for the specific E number or its alternative names.

In Canada and the United States, Red 40 is a common food colouring, but recent reports in early 2025 indicated that while the US is re-evaluating certain dyes, Canada's approach remains different. The specific name for this dye on Canadian ingredient labels is a frequent source of consumer confusion.

Anthocyanins, the natural pigments also identified as E163, are responsible for the vibrant red, purple, and blue hues in many plants. Is E163 natural? Yes, this food additive is a natural compound, extracted and concentrated from various plant sources for commercial use.

Did you know that the term 'hundreds and thousands' is a regional name used in Commonwealth countries for what Americans call nonpareils? This beloved confectionery is made from a surprisingly simple list of core ingredients, but the specifics of what are the ingredients in hundreds and thousands can vary depending on the manufacturer and dietary needs.

Approximately 155,000 cochineal insects are needed to produce just one kilogram of the vibrant red dye E120, a surprising fact for many consumers. Understanding **what E120 contain**s is crucial for navigating modern food labels and making informed dietary decisions based on ethical and health considerations.