Australian children consuming less food colour than 2008: report

Australian children are consuming lower levels of food colours than in 2008, a new report by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has shown.

“The report found an overall reduction in estimated dietary exposure to colours in the 2- to 16-year-old age group compared to the previous survey,” said FSANZ CEO Steve McCutcheon.

“For example, the estimated dietary exposure to Sunset Yellow for high consumers aged 13 to 16 years was 2.57 mg/day. In 2008 the dietary exposure for high consumers for a similar age group (13 to 18 years) to Sunset Yellow was estimated to be 5.19 mg/day,” McCutcheon said.

The estimated dietary exposure was less than 5% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for each colour investigated, McCutcheon said.

“The report confirmed there was no public health and safety risk from consuming foods with added colours as part of a balanced diet,” said McCutcheon.

All food additives, including colours, must pass an FSANZ safety assessment before they can be used in food and drinks in Australia and New Zealand and must be declared on the label.

Read the report in full here.