Food, Drug & Cosmetic Dyes: What are they?

Why Use Dyes for Food, Drugs & Cosmetics?

Taking a cue from nature that provides a riot of colors to visually enhance the appeal of its bounty, manufacturers use colors to make their products more attractive to the human time. More often than not, it is the visual appeal of a product that prompts us to give it a first glance and this is definitely one of the criteria that influences purchasing decisions. While industrial products use numerous colors and in various proportions, in the matter of food, drug and cosmetic colors, more discretion needs to be observed. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has laid out strict regulations to ensure that the FD&C dyes made of synthetic organic chemicals are fit for our consumption. Production in the European Economic Community is regulated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Similarly, countries like the United Kingdom, and West Germany also have regulatory authorities monitoring the production of FD&C dyes. FDA and EFSA also conduct rigorous and periodic tests to ensure that the dyes are safe to use. Certified colors also go through a continuous review process while in use in food, drugs, or cosmetics. FD&C color dyes are available in liquid as well as powder forms. While some of the dyes are water soluble, not all of them get washed away with moisture. Some dyes are dispersible in oil and hold steadfast in the presence of water.

Food Dyes

Food dyes are generally made from natural as well as synthetic products. Due to the expense attached to natural food coloring ingredients, it is common to use synthetic colors in large scale production. There are very few synthetic colors that are certified to be fit for consumption. As per the FDA, a total of 11 products (synthetic) are still pending certification while 20 synthetic dyes do not need certification.

Drug Dyes

The colors of various drugs not only make them appealing to the eye but help to identify between various medications easily. Pharmaceutical companies also use color to provide character and personality to various drugs. It helps to distinguish their medication and brand from among the other brands selling the same medication.

Cosmetic Dyes

Cosmetic dyes are manufactured for the dual purposes of enhancing beauty as well as for creative satisfaction. Cosmetic dyes are generally water soluble while cosmetic pigments are dispersed with oil. Since cosmetic dyes can be absorbed into the body through the skin or through the mouth (in the case of lipsticks, balms etc), it is important that only colors certified as FD&C safe are used in the production of cosmetics.

FD&C grade production lines are very difficult to set up and maintain. This is one of the prime reasons why there are only a handful of recognized manufacturers across the world running these production lines. All of these production facilities undergo stringent tests and checks to ensure that there is no drop in quality and that they meet with all the regulations set out globally as well as region dependent compliance measures (as mandated by the FDA or EUSA).