A colour additive is primarily added to impart colour to food. The additives can be either synthetic or derived from natural resources. US FDA allows usage of food colours in accordance with defined guidelines. However, use of non-permitted colours results in adulteration and poses a health risk. The products must therefore be evaluated to ensure that they are devoid of any non-permitted food colours and are used within the specified quantity.
At VIMTA, we use LC-MS/MS and advanced analytical methods to test for banned food colours.