Food colours: call for data to support re-evaluation

The EFSA has launched a call for data on food colours as part of a systematic re-evaluation of all authorised food additives in the EU.

EFSA has been asked by the European Commission to do this work in the interest of consumer protection, taking account of new information since the original assessments were done and giving top priority to colours.

The company will provide scientific advice on colours from early 2007. The call for data is aimed at all parties holding important information that should be included in the re-evaluations.

The company is giving top priority to colours, as requested by the Commission, because they were among the first additives to be evaluated under European legislation, and several new studies have become available since the original assessments were done. Within this framework, some 45 colours are to be re-assessed by EFSA's AFC Panel.

EFSA is looking to gather for these colours: safety data that was not considered in the original assessments; and information on uses in foods, on the purity of colours and production methods.

In addition to the national food safety authorities, EFSA is particularly addressing this call for data to manufacturers and other stakeholders.

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