Southampton six safety review

A verdict on the safety of the so-called ‘Southampton six’ food colours is imminent after EFSA confirmed that its food additives panel is scheduled to discuss the review findings later this month.

A spokesman says that should the panel adopt any opinions from the review process, the views will be published in mid-October following the meeting, which is due to take place between 22-24 September.

The six colours: Tartrazine (E102), Quinoline Yellow (E104), Sunset Yellow (E110), Carmoisine (E122), Ponceau 4R (E124) and Allura Red (E129) have been pushed to the front of the queue for evaluation after the Southampton Study found possible links with hyperactivity in children.

The verdict of the panel will be put to the European Commission as part of a broader review of food colourings used in the EU.