FD & C Colors – Why Approved Colors Are Better?
                     FD & C Colors – Why Approved Colors Are Better?
Anil Kumar
Works for one of the quality cosmetics active ingredients suppliers. 
Writes on cosmetics active ingredients for personal care, home 
care, hair colour, sun care products, pigmentation dryer and 
dietary supplements including Iscotrizinol, also called as Uvasorb 
Heb / Diethylhexyl butamido triazone.
    Whether you are a part of the food or beverage industry or deal with 
cosmetics, you must be aware of the prescribed regulations about FD&C 
(food, drugs, and cosmetics) colors. These are additives that provide 
artificial color to your merchandise. Ranging from cosmetics, food, and 
drugs to medical devices, adding colors to food requires you to adhere 
to the prescribed industry regulations. No wonder, artificial colors can 
make products more appealing to customers.
    As you know, synthetic colors are petroleum products. You also have 
some organic colors, that are extracted from mineral sources and 
vegetables. So, why is it important to use approved colors? We have 
discussed this aspect extensively in this article.
    How Safe Are Color Additives To Food And Cosmetics?
    Well, The Deployment Of Artificial Colors In Edible Products And 
Cosmetics Has Been A Controversial Topic Over The Years. Using Color 
Additives Can Lead to several issues when approved colors are not used 
and when approved colors are used beyond specified concentrations. 
Besides, the use of the wrong color ingredients can lead to skin 
eruptions, allergies, and even problems in the digestive system.
    Different regulatory authorities operate globally to regulate the quality 
of colors used in food and cosmetics. For instance, the FDA operates in 
the USA to regulate the safety of food colors. Before you use a new 
color, or a new additive is launched in the market, it is mandatory to 
obtain the approval of the FDA.
   Likewise, in India, the FSSAI looks after the quality of additives in 
food. The EU has its own department to regulate the quality of 
colors in food. The authorities examine each food and color based 
on its chemical composition. Accordingly, they find out the short 
and long-term effects on health when people consume the food. 
In the process, they determine the right quantities in which they 
can apply this color.
   The food safety authorities also recommend that the name of the 
additives and the respective quantity should be mentioned on the 
package. This way, the regulatory authorities ensure that the food 
color being used is safe to consume.
   Why should you use approved food colors?
    Using approved colors in dyes in food and cosmetics is important from 
the following perspectives:
• Using an approved color ensures the safety of your product. You can 
advertise the certified color on the product package or label. This would 
help you market the product better. Consumers would be interested in 
healthy products only, so this would work in your favor.
• Secondly, using the wrong color or dye in edibles or cosmetics can have 
an adverse impact on your consumers. This implies that you would lose 
your reputation soon after launching the product. In a competitive 
economy, your brand image matters more than anything else.
• Lastly, but most importantly, you cannot afford to get your trade or 
business license cancel-led while trying to use substandard colors or 
additives. Using unapproved food colors can invite the wrath of the 
respective regulatory authorities in your country. This is the last thing 
any business owner would expect.
    Considering these aspects, it would be wise to use only approved food 
colors in your edibles, cosmetics, drugs, or any other merchandise. 
Approved colors are better both for your consumers and your business.
  About Vinner Labs 
    Vinner Labs specialises in the supply of 
functional and active ingredients for 
personal care, home care, hair dye 
intermediates, sun filter ingredients, FD&C 
pigments and dyes․ We have global reach 
and focused approach towards providing 
our customers with best products via our 
networked manufacturing and R&D 
facilities․ Vinner Labs aims to provide a 
wide range of functional active ingredients 
from a variety of technological platforms․ 
We are one of the unique players in this 
niche segment of specialty chemicals from 
India․ We consider ourselves as value-
unlockers in a variety of personal care 
categories including beauty care, skin care, 
and hair care․