E. Ioannou Kakouri, E. Procopiou, A. Krashia, M. Frantzi

Transcription

1 THE USE OF SYNTHETIC COLORS (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129) AND OF THE PRESERVATIVE SODIUM BENZOATE IN FOOD AND DRINKS CONSUMED BY CHILDREN IN CYPRUS E. Ioannou Kakouri, E. Procopiou, A. Krashia, M. Frantzi State General Laboratory (SGL), 44 Kimonos, Nicosia Cyprus Ministry of Health 6 th Cyprus Dietetic and Nutrition Association Conference withinternational Participation Life Cycle Nutrition, September 2010, Hilton Cyprus Hotel, Nicosia Cyprus

2 Introduction The incidence and the levels of several food additives (colours, preservatives, synthetic sweeteners etc) in locally produced and imported foodstuffs are monitored and controlled systematically by the State General Laboratory (SGL) since 1980s. Special emphasisis given to synthetic colours and preservatives used in foods and drinks consumed by children.

3 The monitoring and control is performed according to the requirements of relevant EU legislation (Reg. No. 1333/2008 etc). SGL is the Official Control Laboratory and the National Reference Laboratory of Cyprus, in many fields of food safety and cooperates with the Health Services of the Ministry of Health for sampling and enforcement. Furthermore SGL participates in Expert Committees and Working Groups of European Commission i (EC) and European Food Safety Authority( EFSA).

4 Reason for this study ArelevantsurveyoftheUniversity of Southampton (McCann et al, The Lancet, 6 Sept. 2007) whose subject was the correlation of the synthetic food colours E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129 and the preservative sodium benzoate with hyperactivity y in children. Duetothis,theMinistryofHealth(MoH) fundeda study ( ) 2009) carried out by the SGL with the aim:

5 Aim of the study The investigation of the real/analytical levels of the six colors (Ε102, Ε104, Ε110, Ε122, Ε124, Ε129) and the preservative sodium benzoate (Ε211) in ice cream, drinks, fruit drinks, candies, snacks, desserts, tomato ketchup and other foodstuffs consumed by children in Cyprus. Collection of data and evaluation of the status of these foodstuffs in Cyprus, for use in the consultative diet policy of the Ministry of Health to parents and other stakeholders. Development of amethod of quantifying i synthetic colours in several types of food and drinks. In the present study a total number of 369 samples were examined!

6 Results No and % of positive samples Α/Α Food or Drinks Synthetic colors Southampton (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129) Number of % of positive samples samples (1 st phase/2 nd phase) Sodium benzoate (Ε211) Number of samples (1 st phase/2 nd phase) % of positive samples 1 Ice creams 63 / Drinks 59 / / Fruit drinks 11 / / 0 4 Gel 15 / Candies/ 42 / Lollipops/ Chewing gums 6 Ketchup 11 / 0 11 / 27 7 Snacks 16 / 0 8 Desserts with yoghurt for kids 7 / 0 Total 224 / / 20

7 samples % possitive Confectionery (sweets, candies) Desserts Edible ices Ε102 Ε104 Ε110 Ε122 Ε124 Soft drinks Fruit drinks Ε129 Southampton Colours

8 Levels of Synthetic Colours in foodstuffs in Cyprus ( ) Edible ices Confectionery (sweets, candies) Desserts Fruit drinks Soft drinks Colour Mean value Mean value Mean value Mean value Mean value mg/kg g mg/kg g mg/kg g mg/kg g mg/kg g E102 16,4 19,9 33,1 0,0 6,8 E104 18,1 42,1 2,0 0,0 9,2 E110 21,0 13,2 84 8,4 5,5 16,3 E122 25,7 5,9 17,2 50,0 33,2 E124 29,9 11,3 19,2 0,0 0,0 E129 0,0 46,6 0,0 12,5 17,9

9 50.0 Mean value e, mg/kg or mg g/l Φρουτοποτά Confectionery (sweets, candies) Desserts E102 E104 E110 E122 Southampton t Colours E124 E129 Soft drinks Edible ices

10 Discussion 16 74% of the tested food groups were positive inthepresenceofoneormoreof the six colors and 27 42% of the food groups were positive for sodium benzoate None of the six colors was identified in ketchup, snacksand desserts with yoghurt.

11 Synthetic colours E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129 ( Southampton colours) and E131 & E133, were not identified in a significant percentage of the examined number of ice cream samples (65%). Συνθετικές χρωστικές Southampton (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129) 31% Συνθετικές χρωστικές (Ε131 και Ε133) 4% Δεν ανιχνεύθηκαν συνθετικές χρωστικές 43% Φυσική χρωστική Ε120 22%

12 The simultaneous presence of a synthetic ti color and sodium benzoate was identified in 22% of the soft drinks With a simple risk assessment e.g. for sodium benzoate, one kid aged 2 4 years old (15kg body weight), can receive 2/3 of the acceptable daily intake (ADI), by consuming a can of soft drink (330ml) which contains a maximum limit quantity of sodium benzoate (150mg/l).

13 EFSA s relevant work The European Commission (EC) asked EFSA to consider these six colours. First EFSA opinion was in It was mentioned by EFSA that children who consume intensively coloured candies and soft drinks, it is possible for some of the additives in the Southampton study, to reach theiracceptable daily intake (ADI). In the light of all new evidence, EFSA re evaluated the safety of the six colors and reduced the ADI for the three of them (EFSA opinion Nov. 2009) Quinoline Yellow (E104), Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) and Ponceau 4R (E124). Generally, EFSA has the mandate to re evaluate all food additives which are allowed within E.U.( Reg.257/2010 set up a timeline for re evaluation of additives permitted before 20 Jan.2009).

14 European Commission SGL EFSA Furthermore, European Commission (EC) put in force a new Regulation for food additives (Reg. No. 1333/2008) including mandatory additional labeling information for the presence of these six colours, that they may have an adverse effect on activity and attention of children. The SGL participates actively in the Working Groups of EC on additives for drafting the relevant legislation and other WG of EFSA.

15 The results of study: Use of results will be used in the dietary advices of Min. of Health andotherstakeholders for the reductionof of intake/ consumption of food containing to much synthetic food colors and other additives especially by children! Willbe sent to EFSA andeuropeancommission( EC) within the spirit of networking and exchange of information between Member States of EU, EC and EFSA.

16 Many thanks to: The Min. of Health for funding the study My co workers in SGL : E. Procopiou, A. Krashia, M. Frantzi The organizers of the 6 th CyDNA Conference