asked the Minister for Health why each of the six colouring agents mentioned in S.I. 140 of 1978 are thereby being banned; if these agents are banned in the United States of America and Canada; if any independent investigation was carried out in this country prior to accepting the EEC standard on this issue; and if either he or the EEC Commission have proposals under consideration to ban further colouring agents.
Written Answers . - Colouring Agents Ban .
150.
: EEC Directive 76/399 of 6 April 1976 deleted the following colours from the EEC list of colours permitted to be used in food.
E103 Chrysoine S, E105 Fast Yellow AB, E111 Orange GGN, E121 Orchil, orcein, E125 Scarlet GN, E126 Ponceau 6R, E130 Solanthrene Blue RS, E152 Black 7984, E181 Burnt Umber.
Five of these colours had been permitted for use in food in Ireland by the Health (Colouring Agents in Food) Regulations, 1973 (S.I. No. 149 of 1973):—
E105 Fast Yellow AB, E121 Orchil, orcein, E130 Solanthrene Blue RS, E152 Black 7984, E181 Burnt Umber
Consultations with the food industry prior to the adoption of the EEC Directive indicated that manufacturers no longer used these colours. The EEC directive deleting these from the permitted Community list of colours, therefore, posed no problem for the industry. As no technological need existed for the colours, no independent toxicological evaluation was necessary.
As regards orange RN—which Ireland has been allowed to authorise under the Treaty of Accession to the EEC—it was decided to prohibit the use of this colour following receipt of the Irish Food Advisory Committee recommendation that a ban be imposed, as research suggested possible toxicity associated with its use.
None of the colours in question is permitted in the USA. In the short time available it has not been possible to ascertain the position in Canada. A further EEC directive adopted on 30 January 1978 will result in another three colours being prohibited in the Community with effect from January 1979, that is chocolate brown FB, violet 6B and orange G. This action is based on the opinion of the Scientific Committee for Food that the colours in question are unacceptable because available data is inadequate to demonstrate their safety-in-use. The Irish food industry have discontinued the use of these colours.
As far as the Department of Health are aware the EEC have no short-term proposals to prohibit any further colours.