What Is Food Coloring? Its Benefits and Drawbacks
According to SHAHEDNEWS, Food coloring comes in liquid, powder, gel, and paste forms and is used in both commercial food production and home cooking. Edible colorants are also used in various non-food applications, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, home craft projects, and medical devices.
Are color additives safe to eat?
Yes, color additives (food coloring) are safe because they are used in compliance with FDA regulations. When the FDA approves the use of a color additive in food, it specifies the following:
The types of foods in which it can be used
The maximum allowable amount
How color additives should be identified on food labels.
What can you use instead of artificial food coloring?
You can use natural colorings found in foods instead of artificial and chemical colors, such as cocoa, saffron, fruits like cherries, raspberries, beets, etc. For example, to achieve a yellow color, you can use saffron or turmeric, depending on your dish.
For pink, use boiled beet juice; for purple, mix water and blueberries; for green, use spinach; and for brown, use cocoa.
Benefits of Food Coloring
As mentioned earlier, natural colors mostly have plant or animal origins, so they generally do not pose health risks like other foods made from these components. These additives are safe, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that companies and food manufacturers use more of these colors in their products.
The most common use of these colors is in ice creams, dairy products, dietary supplements, sweets, cakes, and beverages, which are consumed daily by many people.
Disadvantages of Food Coloring
The consumption of food colorings can often lead to various health issues in the long term, and it is less common to see immediate harmful effects after consumption. However, some individuals, especially those with different levels of sensitivity, may experience symptoms like poisoning, nausea, vomiting, etc., shortly after ingesting food colorings.
Long-term Disadvantages of Food Coloring:
The long-term effects of food coloring usage include various health conditions. Leukemia can be considered one of the most significant health risks associated with artificial food colorings. Nowadays, it is said that one of the causes of leukemia might be the use of artificial food colorings, which unfortunately many people overlook. Additionally, research shows that conditions like autism, hyperactivity, low IQ, allergies, etc., in children can be linked to the consumption of artificial food colorings. Moreover, miscarriage, genetic abnormalities, hormonal changes, etc., can also be side effects related to the consumption of artificial food colorings in pregnant women.
Types of Food Coloring
Food coloring comes in two types: natural and artificial.
Natural Food Coloring:
These colors are often derived from plants and have no harmful effects on health. On the contrary, these compounds are beneficial to the body due to their antioxidant properties. Examples of natural food colors include the orange carotene in carrots, the purple color from red cabbage, the green color from spinach, the red color from beets, and the yellow color from turmeric, among others. These colors are obtained through a complex extraction process and are used in the food industry, and like fruits and vegetables, they are rich in beneficial compounds for the body.
Artificial Food Coloring:
Artificial colors are made from chemical compounds and can be found in candies, chocolates, and beverages. Research on these colors has shown that their consumption in children can lead to hyperactivity and restlessness, and in some cases, it can cause a decrease in growth and concentration. Allergic reactions in adults and reduced IQ in children are also some of the harmful effects of these chemicals. For this reason, the use of some artificial colors is banned in many countries.
