Who are they ? They are identified by their name of the form ” E1XX “. They are used to make products more attractive to the consumer and to give them color because it is known to be often associated with the taste of food. The origin of these dyes can be natural or synthetic.

What should we think ? In France, additives can be “authorized”, “authorized with certain dosage limits (ADI)” or “prohibited”.

Dyes of natural origin are mostly harmless. On the other hand, among the perfectly authorized food colors, it should be noted that some are regularly subject to controversy: E104 (Yellow T), E110 (Sunset Yellow FCF) and E124 (Cochineal Red A) are among them. In 2007, a study, conducted at the request of the FSA (Food Standards Agency) pointed out that the consumption of two mixtures of dyes with sodium benzoate, a preservative, could be responsible for hyperactivity in children. In 2008, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) took advantage of this study to conclude that the tested mixtures had too weak an effect on the activity to prevent their marketing.¹. They have since been closely watched.