Red 2G colouring to become outlawed

UK - Following a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluation of the food colouring Red 2G, a European Commission committee has decided it should be banned in Europe.
calendar icon 23 July 2007
clock icon 2 minute read

EFSA is currently re-evaluating the safety of all permitted food colourings. Its evaluation has shown that in laboratory tests the food colouring, Red 2G (E128), may have the potential to damage the genetic material in cells and cause cancer in animals.

Under EU legislation, Red 2G was permitted for use in specific meat products, namely, processed products such as breakfast sausages with a minimum cereal content of 6 per cent and burger meat with a minimum vegetable and/or cereal content of 4 per cent. Red 2G was not permitted for use in any other foods.

The use of additives in the UK is governed by European legislation, and the EC's Standing Committee has now unanimously agreed that Red 2G should no longer be used as a food colouring in Europe. The regulation will come into force shortly.

The Eu syas that as there is no immediate risk to health, products already on the shelf which contain this colouring will be permitted to be sold, but no new products that contain Red 2G will be allowed on the market.

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