Brussels, 20/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - The food colouring Red 2G, which is mainly used in hamburgers and breakfast sausages, will very soon be prohibited within the EU. The representatives of the EU27, who met within the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, approved, on 20 July, the Commission's proposal aimed at banning imports, marketing and use of the substance, which is potentially carcinogenic. This was confirmed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 5 July after a further evaluation of the colouring, requested by the Commission as part of the revision of the legislation on food additives. In its opinion, EFSA considers there is a “strong possibility” that Red 2G can cause cancer given that it tends to break down into a carcinogenic substance called aniline.
Hence the Commission's decision to take immediate measures to block any food containing this food colouring from the EU market. Member states have given the green light for formal adoption of the prohibition in coming days for implementation immediately after publication. Food stocks already on the market before adoption of the decision may nonetheless be sold in full legality until their use-by date. The Red G2 colouring is currently authorised in the EU for breakfast sausages and hamburgers (mainly consumed in the United Kingdom and Ireland) up to a maximum level of 20 mg/kilo. (an)