Yellow 2G (E107)

The category of food additives includes colorants, preservatives, stabilizers and emulsifiers. With their help, food products, cosmetics and general consumer goods maintain a given shape, attractive appearance and are stored for a long time. Some of them are not harmful to the body and are approved for use in many countries, others can be dangerous, so their use should be limited or avoided. Consider the dye under the code E107 as a food additive.

Additive characteristic

Food additive yellow 2G belongs to a number of synthetic dyes, with the help of which products are given a yellow tint, including the entire palette of this color. In the international codification, he was assigned the index E107. Manufacturers also use other synonyms for this substance: CI 18965; CI Acid Yellow 17; Yellow 2G; Lissamine Fast Yellow.

The additive has the appearance of a loose powder with a bright yellow tint. Easily soluble in water, coloring it, while a small amount of the substance may precipitate. This powder is obtained by processing coal tar. Due to its coloring properties, it was used in many countries in the food industry and in the production of other goods (coloring of cosmetics, plastics, paper, etc.).

Use of supplement Е107

Synthetic dye easily gives the desired shade to any composition, including food products. It is easily mixed in various solutions, without the use of additional catalysts, which explains the popularity of its long-term use in production. The dye allows you to improve the appearance of the product, which increases its consumer demand. A product dyed with it does not lose its attractive appearance for a long time.

The low-cost production of the dye makes it possible to use it not only in the food industry. Shower gels, scrubs, bath foams were colored with it, since the additive does not affect the formation of foam. It is difficult to regulate the restrictions on the use of such a dye in products that are interesting for children and adolescents: lollipops, ice cream, filling for waffles and cookies, chewing sweets, etc. Also, the E107 component was popular before the Easter holidays, as it was often included in special powders for coloring eggs.

Influence on the body

When studying the properties of the food additive Yellow 2G, its negative effect on the human body was revealed. The dye is included in the list of allergens that can potentiate the development of an allergic reaction in susceptible subjects. The use of products with such a dye can lead to the manifestation of the following allergy symptoms:

• swelling of the respiratory tract;
• rash on the body and itching;
• sneezing, nasal congestion;
• tearing;
• cough.

For children and adolescents, such a substance can become a potential allergen. Moreover, side effects appear in this category more often and stronger, since the child’s body needs very little substance for the development of an allergic and toxic reaction.

This dietary supplement is especially dangerous for people with respiratory problems, in particular with bronchial asthma.

Yellow 2G in this case can sharply worsen the patient’s condition, provoke the development of edema, suffocation, fainting and coma. In turn, such symptoms in some cases can be fatal, for example, if the patient is not given proper assistance in time.

In addition to respiratory diseases, this synthetic dye is not safe for people with intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). In this case, the use of products in such a substance causes the same side effects: suffocation, fainting, swelling, etc.

The use of Yellow 2G in cosmetology and the production of non-food products is not so dangerous for humans. However, even in this case, it is better to choose products that do not contain this component. Some body care products penetrate the layers of the skin well, which can also cause an allergic reaction.

Ban on E107

To date, many countries have abandoned the use of this component in the food industry, given its harm to the body. Despite this, most states still use this dye. And sometimes even in food production, for example, the legislation of Scotland, England, Ireland still allows you to color drinks using E107.

However, in other countries the use of this dye is prohibited (Austria, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland), an official ban on the use of the E107 dye has been introduced in Russia since 2008 (according to SanPiN 2.3.2.1293-03), as well as in Ukraine since 1999 (“Pro quality and safety of grub products and food syrovina” 771/97-VR). Despite the prohibition of use, exported goods from countries where the use of this dye is allowed can enter the domestic market. Therefore, before buying food, it is imperative to familiarize yourself with the composition. Given what we have learned about the effect of E107, products with this component are best left in the store.

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