BPOM AS Will Ban The Use Of Food Colors, Considered High Risk Of Cancer

JAKARTA - The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans to gradually stop coloring petroleum-based synthetic food from US food supplies, due to concerns about its impact on health. This announcement was made by FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary on Tuesday, April 22.

"Over the last 50 years, American children have lived in toxic sups' that are full of synthetic chemicals," Makary said, quoted from the CNN page.

"Indeed, there is not a single ingredient that causes an epidemic of chronic disease in children. And to be honest, removing petroleum-based food dyes from food supply is not an instant solution that will immediately make American children healthy. But this is an important step," he added.

This synthetic coloring is found in various food products such as candy, contracts, drinks, and even some types of drugs. Color is used to make food and drinks look brighter and more attractive. Makary emphasized that this effort will be carried out in collaboration, not against the rules of the food industry.

There are many tools that can be used. I believe in a loving approach, let's start with a friendly way and see if we can solve this without having to change laws or regulations. But we are also exploring all possibilities so that this can be done as quickly as possible," he said

"Companies also want to do it. So why go through a complicated path with Congress if they are in line? They also don't want to bother with 30 different state regulations," he continued.

Meanwhile, Consumer Brands Association, a trading association that manufactures packaging consumer goods, stated that materials in US food supplies have been rigorously researched through science-based and risk-based evaluation processes, and have proven safe.

"Along with the increasing use of alternative materials, food and beverage companies will not sacrifice our knowledge and product safety," said Melissa Hockstad, president and CEO of the association.

However, it remains unclear which coloring is most at risk for human health and at what level. Experts say research into food dyes lacks funds and the FDA has not thoroughly reviewed the use of food dyes for decades.

Several studies show that dyes can quickly get out of the human body, but there is also evidence that these substances can accumulate over time.

Research on animals for decades shows the potential relationship between artificial food dyes such as red no.3, red no.40, blue no. 2, and green no. 3 with an increased risk of cancer or tumor. Other studies also show that red no.40, yellow no.5 and No.6 contain or may be contaminated with carcinogenic substances.

Blue no.1 and yellow no.6 can even be toxic to some human cells, and as many as 1 milligrams of yellow no. 5 can cause irritation, anxiety, and sleep disorders in sensitive children. Some studies have also attributed artificial dyes to anxiety, difficulty learning, and attention problems in children who are sensitive to these substances.

In January, under the Biden administration, the FDA announced a ban on the use of red dye No. 3 in drugs, food, and drinks.

Last Tuesday, Makary said that the FDA asked the food industry to speed up the deadline for the ban, which was previously set for 2027-2028. He also said the FDA would set national standards and deadlines for the food industry to switch colorings based on petroleum to natural dyes.

The FDA is also in the process of revoking permits for the use of other synthetic dyes, including those that are no longer produced such as citrus red no. 2 and orange B in the next few weeks.

The next step, the FDA will cooperate with industry to remove six synthetic dyes, including red no. 40, yellow no. 5, yellow no. 6, blue no. 1, blue no. 2, and green no. 3 at the end of next year.

"The FDA will effectively remove all petroleum-based food dyes from US food supplies," Makary said.

Today's announcement fulfills the government's promise to use the best science and common sense. Over the past 50 years, we have carried out one of the largest scientific experiments in the world without the consent of our children, and today we are starting to remove these petroleum-based chemicals from their foods." he added.

In the next few weeks, the FDA will also allow four new natural dyes, as well as accelerate the review of natural alternative dyes such as calcium phosphate, blue galdieria extract, blue gardenia, and auction flower extract.