Tartrazine, sunset yellow, amaranth, allura red and brillant blue intake in elementary school students from Argentina

Abstract

Estimated daily intake for tartrazine, sunset yellow, amaranth, allura red and brillant blue was determined in 80 children of school age, using qualitative and quantitative assessment of consumption and the maximum use of these dyes in different foods and drinks, under the laws of Argentina and Mercosur. Potential risk was estimated as coverage % of admitted daily intakes (ADIs) by JECFA and European Union (EFSA, 2009). The results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test for independent samples (α< 0,05). The intake comparison vs. ADI gave safe consumption, except for yellow sunset with 2.5 % of children with a potentially risky intake according to JECFA and 35 % according to EU. Similar situation occurs with amaranth (5 and 25 % according JECFA and EU respectively). The intake of the dyes tested to be safe consumption levels recorded in the population studied.