Can food coloring cause cancer?
Can food coloring cause cancer?
Yes, certain food coloring agents can cause cancer. However, the government has made it illegal to use such agents to color food.
The government only permits the use of those coloring agents which do not cause cancer. This, however, does not mean that no one uses cancer causing coloring agents to color food. There are people who break the law for personal gains.
Food coloring agents which have the potential to cause cancer are cheap because of which some scrupulous individuals use them. Permitted food colors which do not cause cancer are more expensive.
Hence, to avoid products which contain cancer causing coloring agents, buy branded products. You can never be sure of what unbranded products contain. Also make sure to buy products from authorized dealers.
If you live in a third world country where the government does not strictly enforce its laws, then there is no guarantee that branded products will contain permitted food coloring agents. In such an instance, you should buy imported products which are branded.
Another thing to remember is that while one country may label a coloring agent as permitted, another country may not (1).
Source(s):
- Kapoor VP, Food colors: concern regarding their safety and toxicity, International Society of Environmental Botanists, 2006, retrieved 6 March 2008.