Colorants for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics

Abstract

Colorants have been added to foods, drugs, and cosmetics for centuries. Natural sources were used as dyes until the discovery of the first synthetic organic dyestuff by Perkin in 1856. A host of new and different colorants became available. The use of these new dyes in food, drugs, and cosmetics increased rapidly. The proliferation of color additives was soon recognized as a public health concern and it was soon made clear that some sort of government control was necessary. In 1938 the Federal Food, and Drug, and Cosmetic Act was instituted and several new and important practices were enacted. Among other restrictions the law stated that colorants that could be used were limited, certification became mandatory, and governmental control was extended to the coloring of drugs and cosmetics. Most colorants used today have specifications that must be met before sold. Typical specifications are given. Colorants can be divided into two groups: those listed for use and those provisionally listed. Azo colors comprise the largest group of certified colorants. Colorants are exempt from certification when it is believed that certification is not necessary to protect the public health. In general, exempt colorants have less coloring power than the certified colors and have to be used at higher concentrations. Certified and exempt colors for food, drugs, and cosmetics are listed. Opportunities for natural colorants are discussed.

A Global Perspective on the History, Use, and Identification of Synthetic Food Dyes

“…5, which is the second-most commonly used dye in the United States (see Table 3), was not found in the Merck Index (39) or the Aldrich Handbook of Fine Chemicals (40). The absorption coefficients determined in this study are also very similar to those of Marmion (41). The visible spectra of the U.S. food dyes have been recently published (20).…”

Synthesis, structural characterization and molecular modelling of bidentate azo dye metal complexes: DNA interaction to antimicrobial and anticancer activities

“…Azo compounds have been extensively used as colorant materials. They have many applications, such as in inkjet printing, thermal transfer printing, photography, colour additives, molecular recognition and light‐controlled polymers . Transition metal chelates of azo dyes have found a remarkable role in the evolution of the field of coordination chemistry .…”