EFSA declares Sunset Yellow safe and ups ADI

15-Jul-2014 - Last updated on 16-Jul-2014 at 10:25 GMT

No health risks from Sunset Yellow at current usage levels, says EFSA

Related tags Codex alimentarius Food additive

Current industry uses of food additive Sunset Yellow FCF (E 110) are not a safety concern, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which has upped the acceptable daily intake for the color.

EFSA’s Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS Panel) increased the ADI for Sunset Yellow FCF from 1mg to 4 mg per kg of body weight per day.

The Panel was asked by the European Commission in 2011 to reconsider its 1 mg ADI set in 2009 amid concerns of children’s exposure to the food additive.

“Exposure estimates for Sunset Yellow FCF based both on the currently authorized MPLs and reported use levels provided are well below the new ADI of 4 mg/kg bw/day for all population groups,” said EFSA in its scientific opinion published yesterday.

Sunset Yellow FCF had been among the ‘Southampton Six’ colors that made headlines in 2007 when a study published in The Lancet linked the additive to hyperactivity in children.

The World Health Organization’s Codex Alimentarius has set a max limit of 300 mg per kg of Sunset Yellow FCF in confectionery items.