title: The approach of the European communities to the assessment of the carcinogenic risk of environmental chemicals, in particular, artificial colourings.
abstract: A brief outline is given of the rationale of the Environmental Research Programme of the European Economic Community and of its implementation. The major part of the programme is devoted to research on the exposure-effect relationships for mutagens and carcinogens and to the establishment of criteria. As a first step, a battery of test systems for mutagenicity screening is being established. These will be evaluated in a comparative test programme. The second part of the paper describes the specific legislative actions of the European Communities on food colourings. The historical background is given; and the criteria used by the Scientific Committee for Food for classifying and evaluating colouring matters are listed. Proposed regulatory action, on the basis of the report of the Committe, includes lists of colouring matters which are 'unacceptable', 'temporarily acceptable' and 'acceptable'.
mesh_terms: D005062:European Union; D005505:Food Coloring Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000266:history / Q000592:standards*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D012106:Research
chemical_list: D005505:Food Coloring Agents