Date Recorded: March 2, 2021

Length: 90 Minutes

AOAC Webinar: The Need for Establishing Standards for Color Additives from Natural Sources

Abstract

Internationally, with the consumer demand for “natural” colors increasing, some food manufacturers are turning away from synthetic color additives and towards those from plant extracts or other natural sources. Under current US regulation, color additives fall into two categories: those subject to FDA’s certification process, which include synthetic color additives and are tested by the FDA, and those that are exempt from certification where it is up to manufacturers to comply with specifications. From a quality and safety perspective, identity and purity specifications for colors from natural sources are not as well defined or monitored as for FDA certified colors and increases the risk of adulteration. Natural colors also have regulatory requirements for the crops that are producing the colors and are covered under FSMA Preventive Controls and Produce Safety Rules. These regulations require control measures to be in place to ensure the hazards identified in the risk assessments have been addressed. Consistent industry-wide safety standards are needed to address the manufacturing, processing, application, and international trade of colors from natural sources to ensure quality and safety throughout the supply chain. Methods for microbiological contamination, heavy metals, pesticides, and unauthorized solvents are some of the means to establish these standards. This webinar provides briefings that speak to key potential safety hazards affecting sourcing and analytical challenges. Internationally, with the consumer demand for “natural” colors increasing, some food manufacturers are turning away from synthetic color additives and towards those from plant extracts or other natural sources. Under current US regulation, color additives fall into two categories: those subject to FDA’s certification process, which include synthetic color additives and are tested by the FDA, and those that are exempt from certification where it is up to manufacturers to comply with specifications. From a quality and safety perspective, identity and purity specifications for colors from natural sources are not as well defined or monitored as for FDA certified colors and increases the risk of adulteration. Natural colors also have regulatory requirements for the crops that are producing the colors and are covered under FSMA Preventive Controls and Produce Safety Rules. These regulations require control measures to be in place to ensure the hazards identified in the risk assessments have been addressed. Consistent industry-wide safety standards are needed to address the manufacturing, processing, application, and international trade of colors from natural sources to ensure quality and safety throughout the supply chain. Methods for microbiological contamination, heavy metals, pesticides, and unauthorized solvents are some of the means to establish these standards. This webinar provides briefings that speak to key potential safety hazards affecting sourcing and analytical challenges.