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European food colouring not permitted in New Zealand

11 July 2007

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) today advised consumers that a food colouring that has been withdrawn in the United Kingdom and Europe has never been approved in New Zealand or Australia.

The colouring, Red 2G (also known as E128), has been reassessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and withdrawn because of possible safety concerns. It is 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.

An EFSA expert panel is studying all approved additives systematically. This is the first opinion of a series of re-evaluations being undertaken on the safety of food additives, including colours, authorised in the EU.

“NZFSA and FSANZ has close relationships with the world’s other food safety agencies, and we always welcome new peer-reviewed research that assists us to assess risk and enhance the safety of food and to protect consumers,” says Carole Inkster. “We will continue to monitor and evaluate for New Zealand conditions the opinions of EFSA during their re-evaluation.”

The full EFSA opinion on the safety of Red 2G is available on the EFSA website at: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/science/afc/afc_opinions.html

Ends

For further comment contact: Carole Inkster, Director (Joint Food Standards). Ph (04) 894 2505 or (029) 894 2505

For further information contact: Gary Bowering, Manager (Communications). Ph (04) 894 2532 05 (029) 894 5532