Colourants used in food and pharmaceuticals – A comparison of natural and synthetic colours

Abstract

Colourants are mainly used to impart a distinctive appearance to the food and various pharmaceutical dosage forms. Colourants can be considered as the cosmetics for food and dosage forms as the aesthetic appearance are enhanced by various colours. The colourants are strictly studied, regulated and monitored before it is used at the intended level. The colourants used may be either naturally occurring colours or synthetically prepared. A colourant is a substance which when applied to a food, drug or cosmetics is capable of imparting colour. FDA is responsible for regulating all colourants are safe to eat, contain only approved colours and are accurately labelled and certified. Colours are those which are synthetically prepared and are capable of imparting an intense uniform colour, less expensive and blend more easily to create a huge variety of hues. Good health makes a lot of sense, but it doesn’t make a lot of dollars. Manufactured food is pumped full of toxic chemicals meant to dress it up and entice consumers to buy. The synthetic colours are responsible for specific teratogenic and carcinogenic effects.