Increasing attention has been recently paid to the toxicity of additives used in food. The European Parliament and the Council published the REGULATION (EC) No. 1333/2008 on food additives establishing that the toxicity of food additives evaluated before 20th January 2009 must be re-evaluated by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The aim of this review is to survey current knowledge specifically on the toxicity issues of synthetic food colorants using official reports published by the EFSA and other available studies published since the respective report. Synthetic colorants described are Tartrazine, Quinoline Yellow, Sunset Yellow, Azorubine, Ponceau 4R, Erythrosine, Allura Red, Patent Blue, Indigo Carmine, Brilliant Blue FCF, Green S, Brilliant Black and Brown HT. Moreover, a summary of evidence on possible detrimental effects of colorant mixes on children's behaviour is provided and future research directions are outlined (1).

References_____________________________________

(1) Health safety issues of synthetic food colorants.
Amchova P, Kotolova H, Ruda-Kucerova J.
Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2015 Dec;73(3):914-22. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.09.026. Epub 2015 Sep 25.

CI 14270 or Azorubine  is a sodium salt, a common food colour, an azo colour and an ingredient on the European food additives list as E122.

Safety

With regard to food safety, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) concluded that the component, while showing increased hyperactivity in 3-, 8- and 9-year-old children, did not reveal any signs of genotoxicity (1).

In May 2010, the FSA (Food Standard Agency) established guidelines for certain colours, including E122: "When using the colours listed below in food and drink there is a requirement (subject to a limited number of exemptions) to include the additional information that „name or E number of the colour(s)‟: may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" (2).

Azorubine safety

Molecular Formula : C₂₀H₁₂N₂Na₂O₇S₂

Molecular Weight: 502.423 g/mol

CAS: 3567-69-9

EC number:  222-657-4

Synonyms : 

• E122
• Carmoisine
• Acid red 14
• Acid Chrome Blue
• BA
• Acid Rubine
• Acid Brilliant
• Acid Fast Red FB
• Acetacid Red B

References________________________________________________________________________

(1) EFSA-Q-2008-226  24/9/2009  Published: 12/9/2009

(2) EFSA - Guidance on the labelling of certain food colours as set out in Regulation 1333/2008