Food (Colourings)

HC Deb 11 June 1997 vol 295 c502W

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those artificial colours permitted for use in food within the United Kingdom; if he will indicate those which are banned in(a) the USA and (b) Norway; and if he will make a statement. [2630]

Mr. Rooker

The following artificial colours are permitted for use in food within the United Kingdom:

EC number	Name
E 102	Tartrazine
E 104	Quinoline Yellow
E 110	Sunset Yellow FCFOrange Yellow S
E 122	Azorubine, Carmoisine
E 123	Amaranth
E 124	Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A
E 127	Erythrosine
E128	Red 2G
E 129	Allura Red AC
E 131	Patent Blue V
E 132	Indigotine, Indigo carmine
E 133	Brilliant Blue FCF
E 142	Green S
E 151	Brilliant Black BN, Black PN
E 153	Vegetable carbon
E 154	Brown FK
E 155	Brown HT
E 170	Calcium carbonate
E 171	Titanium dioxide
E 172	Iron oxides and hydroxides
E 173	Aluminium
E 174	Silver
E 175	Gold
E 180	Litholrubine BK

All of these have been approved under harmonised rules which apply throughout the EU, following safety clearance by the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Food. The information requested about bans which may exist in the USA and Norway is not readily available. I will write to my hon. Friend.