Sunset Yellow FCF
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| Sunset Yellow FCF | |
|---|---|
| Chemical name | disodium salt of 6-hydroxy-5
-[(4-sulfophenyl)azo]-2 |
| Chemical formula | C16H10Na2O7S2N2 |
| Molecular mass | 452.37 g/mol |
| Melting point | 300 °C |
| CAS Number | 2783-94-0 |
 |
|
Sunset Yellow FCF (also known as Orange Yellow S, and FD&C Yellow 6) is a colourant that may be added to foods to induce a colour change. It is denoted by E Number E110, and has the capacity for inducing an allergic reaction.
It is a synthetic coal tar and azo yellow dye useful in fermented foods which must be heat treated. It may be found in orange squash, orange jelly, marzipan, Swiss roll, apricot jam, citrus marmalade, lemon curd, sweets, hot chocolate mix and packet soups, trifle mix, breadcrumbs and cheese sauce mix and soft drinks. Specifically the capsules of DayQuil (in high concentrations), some extra strength Tylenol. Also Astro peach yogurt (potentially others), fortune cookies, some red sauces, certain pound cakes and other yellow, orange, and red food products.
At high concentrations, Sunset Yellow in solution with water undergoes a phase change from an isotropic liquid to a nematic liquid crystal. This occurs between 0.8 M and 0.9 M at room temperature.
[edit] Possible health effects
It appears to cause allergic or intolerance reactions, particularly amongst those with an aspirin intolerance.[citation needed] Other reactions can include gastric upset, diarrhoea, vomiting, a rash similar to nettle rash and skin swelling.[citation needed]
It is one of the colourants that the Hyperactive Children's Support Group recommends be eliminated from the diet of children.[citation needed]
On 6 September 2007, the British Food Standards Agency revised advice on certain artificial food additives, including E110.
Professor Jim Stevenson from Southampton University, and author of the report, said: "This has been a major study investigating an important area of research. The results suggest that consumption of certain mixtures of artificial food colours and sodium benzoate preservative are associated with increases in hyperactive behaviour in children[1].
"However, parents should not think that simply taking these additives out of food will prevent hyperactive disorders. We know that many other influences are at work but this at least is one a child can avoid."
The following additives were tested in the research:
- Sunset yellow (E110) - Colouring found in squashes
- Carmoisine (E122) - Red colouring in jellies
- Tartrazine (E102) - New colouring in lollies, fizzy drinks
- Ponceau 4R (E124) - Red colouring
- Sodium benzoate (E211) - Preservative
- Quinoline yellow (E104) - Food colouring
- Allura red AC (E129) - Orange / red food dye[2]
On 10 April 2008, the Foods Standard Agency called for a voluntary removal of the colours (but not sodium benzoate) by 2009.[3] In addition, it recommended that there should be action to phase them out in food and drink in the European Union (EU) over a specified period.[4]
Sunset Yellow FCF is a prohibited food additive in Norway.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ "Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial" in The Lancet - Vol. 370, Issue 9598, 3 November 2007, Pages 1560-1567
- ^ Parents warned of additives link
- ^ BBC Europe-wide food colour ban call 10 April 2008
- ^ FSA Board discusses colours advice 10 April 2008
