Withdrawn European food colouring not used in NZ

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) advises that a food colouring withdrawn in the United Kingdom and Europe has never been approved for use in New Zealand or Australia.

The colouring, Red 2G (also known as E128), was reassessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and withdrawn because of possible safety concerns. It was generally used in the UK and EU in very small quantities as a colour in some sausages and burger meat.

“Red 2G has never been approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for use here,” says Carole Inkster, director (Joint Food Standards). “New Zealanders who have travelled or lived in the UK or Europe may have consumed some while there, but NZFSA supports statements by EFSA, the UK Food Standards Agency and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland that it does not pose an immediate health risk to consumers.”

Red 2G converts in the body into a substance called aniline and it is considered that aniline could possibly have carcinogenic potential.

As a preventative measure, the colour will no longer be approved for use in Europe, the UK and Ireland.

Source: New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA)