How color additives are regulated.

The color and look of food can make it more appetizing and appealing. In the United States, batch-certified synthetic color additives are commonly used in food. Since the beginning, there have been concerns that using food colorings could be harmful, although many governments decided to put laws into place to prevent deceitful practices. In the U.S., three categories can be used for food coloring, however, several common color additives are exempt from certification.

Yet, governments are not always in agreement when it comes to food additives. In 1956, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives lead by the World Health Organization and the Food & Agriculture Organization came together to evaluate the scientific data. The database they created, Codex General Standard for Food Additives, is available online. Nonetheless, in the U.S., the Food & Drug Administration regulates the use of food additives which is why it differs from global regulations. The FDA has several important regulations concerning the use of food coloring.

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