The colourants concerned are xylidines which may release any of the 21 cancer-causing amines listed in the proposed directive.
Despite the fact that earlier regulations have drawn up a list of food colourants, different countries have different laws on their use.
The proposed directive will also encourage the marketing and use of alternative colourants.
I am informed that there is a constant difficulty in the cosmetic industry in the selection of colourants.
Are any of the colourants which are banned from food being used in lipstick and other cosmetics?
The directive sets out the permitted list of colourants, prescribed maximum levels in feedingstuffs and labelling requirements for feedingstuffs containing them.
Additional uses of the colourant include making preparatory designs on cloth before dyeing with other pigments.
Terra sigillata is also used as a brushable decorative colourant medium in higher temperature glazed ceramic techniques.
