E127 food additive: erythrosine linked to hyperactivity and allergies

Food coloring E127 helps to create a red color, but it can be harmful to health

Artificial food colorings are predominantly used to produce canned goods and various packaged foods. They are also frequently used in factories producing jams, jellies, sweets, and other brightly colored products. Even medicines and vitamins are often dyed with synthetic colors to make them more visually appealing. However, few people consider the potential health risks associated with consuming these colored products.

E127, a synthetic food additive, is widely used in the food industry to enhance the color of food products. It is also known as erythrosine.

This substance was discovered by British chemist Edward Schunck in 1874. However, it was not until the 1900s that erythrosine began to be used as a food coloring. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved erythrosine as a safe food additive in 1928.

Since then, it has been used in the food industry and was initially believed to be completely safe. However, subsequent studies have revealed that erythrosine can be harmful to the human body, especially to young people, and those with allergies or asthma.

E127 dye is predominantly used to produce jams, sweet sauces, preserved fruits, candies, decorations for baked goods, and other confectionery products. It can also be added to beverages such as spirits and energy drinks, which would be less visually appealing without the dyes.

In addition to foods and beverages, some medications, such as ibuprofen, are coated with erythrosine. The red dye in the tablets is listed as a source of iodine.

Erythrosine itself is a brown, powdery substance that dissolves in water and produces a variety of colors, from red to cherry pink. This color is fully synthetic, made from a mixture of resorcinol and phthalic anhydride. Food manufacturers favor erythrosine not only for its ability to impart a bright red hue but also for its high-temperature stability, making it ideal for various baked goods or other heat-processed products.

Erythrosine: potential risks and health concerns

Despite food manufacturers' reluctance to abandon this food dye, E127 is similar to E104 in terms of its potential harm and is considered a risk to human health^[1]. Erythrosine is particularly dangerous for children, as it can cause hyperactivity, interfere with concentration, and increase anxiety^[2]. It can also slightly reduce cell growth.

This artificial coloring, like E120 and other food additives, has been shown to exacerbate asthma symptoms. It is also unsuitable for individuals prone to allergies, as E127 can intensify allergic reactions.

Moreover, some experts have linked this food coloring to cancer. A 1990 study found a connection between E127 and increased thyroid hormone levels in rats, which, in extreme cases, led to thyroid tumors^[3].

Some studies have shown that rats given higher levels of erythrosine had increased thyroid weight and a higher incidence of thyroid adenomas and adenocarcinomas. There was also a recorded toxic effect on the testicles of rats^[4].

Erythrosine has long been associated not only with thyroid problems but also with irritability, brain damage, OCD, infertility, and other issues. It can also cause photosensitivity and impair iodine metabolism^[5].

As a result, the E127 dye has been banned in Norway and the USA, and its use is heavily restricted in the United Kingdom and the European Union. The European Food Safety Authority allows erythrosine only in processed cherries and pet food^[6]. Australia also regulates its use, permitting it only in limited quantities for frosting or ice^[7].

Regulatory challenges and continued use of E127

Despite these studies, regulatory agencies still permit E127 in some products, and it is considered safe in many countries. These claims are based on the fact that studies were conducted on rats or other animals, not humans, meaning the exposure and consumption levels may differ significantly for humans.

However, this is not entirely accurate. Drug-protein interaction studies indicate that even the permissible limit of this dye can have carcinogenic consequences and is not safe^[8]. Although some studies refute the harm of E127 when used infrequently and in moderation, many people do not pay attention to food labels and consume food dyes unknowingly, increasing the likelihood of exceeding safe limits.

Unfortunately, not only do people often not know what they are consuming, but food manufacturers also prioritize profit over safety. For example, UK Trading Standards officers recently discovered a bakery using the illegal E127 colorant.

A visit to Leeds-based bakery Get Baked revealed it had been using illegal sprinkles containing erythrosine. The bakery was forced to stop selling its best-selling baked goods, including glazed donuts inspired by Homer Simpson and a chocolate cake inspired by Matilda, both decorated with illegal sprinkles.

However, Rich Myers, the bakery owner, did not feel guilty. He called the decision "ridiculous" and criticized the available alternative sprinkles as "rubbish." Myers stated^[9]:

“I know it sounds like a small thing but it is a big deal for my business - we used them a lot. Our best selling cookie, we’re not going to be able to sell them anymore. For a small independent business that only has a small menu, it’s a problem."

Myers said he purchased the US-made sprinkles from a UK-based wholesaler, adding that other sprinkles on the market do not compare: “[British sprinkles] run and aren’t bake-stable. The colors aren’t vibrant and they just don’t look very good" Instead of seeking healthier alternatives or avoiding sprinkles altogether, the bakery owner blamed the regulatory authorities for harming his business.

Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs prioritize the appearance of their baked goods over safety, so even in countries where E127 is banned, businesses continue to use or sell it. Therefore, to protect yourself from health-damaging food products, it is essential to read labels carefully and choose less visually appealing but healthier options.