title: Comparison of food colour regulations in the EU and the US: a review of current provisions.
abstract: This review describes the European Union and the US regulations applicable to food colours. Despite the different regulatory frameworks, the overall approach is similar, based on well-established risk-assessment procedures and risk-management measures. However, differences impacting free movement of goods can be found in the details and implementation of regulations. Using additives approved only in the US or in the EU implies that producers aiming to export need to adjust their product composition to the export market. Failure to comply may give rise to claims of adulteration, misbranding or non-compliance and rejection at the border or recall from the market. A careful comparison of the level of protection provided by the two sets of regulations, the criteria of good manufacturing practice (GMP) inspections and the certification requirements could be key to aligning the rules and to negotiating mutual recognition agreements. This review provides an extensive overview of the similarities and differences in regulating food colours in the EU and the US.
authors.affiliation: a Directorate F - Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Joint Research Centre , European Commission , Geel , Belgium.
authors.forename: Sari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lehto
authors.affiliation: b Department of Chemistry , University Stuttgart , Stuttgart , Germany.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buchweitz
authors.affiliation: b Department of Chemistry , University Stuttgart , Stuttgart , Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klimm
authors.affiliation: b Department of Chemistry , University Stuttgart , Stuttgart , Germany.
authors.forename: Raphaela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Straßburger
authors.affiliation: a Directorate F - Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Joint Research Centre , European Commission , Geel , Belgium.
authors.forename: Cato
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bechtold
authors.affiliation: a Directorate F - Health, Consumers and Reference Materials, Joint Research Centre , European Commission , Geel , Belgium.
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ulberth
mesh_terms: D005062:European Union; D005505:Food Coloring Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D012308:Risk Management; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D005505:Food Coloring Agents
keywords: Food colours; authorisation; regulations in the EU and US; safety evaluation