Editing Food coloring (section)

====European Union====
[[File:M&Ms Belgium.jpg|thumb|Due to European Union regulations on food coloring, European [[M&M's]] have darker colors than American M&M's.]] 
In the European Union, [[E number|E{{nbsp}}numbers]] are used for all additives, both synthetic and natural, that are approved in food applications. E{{nbsp}}numbers beginning with 1, such as E100 ([[turmeric]]) or E161b ([[lutein]]), are allocated to colorants.<ref>{{cite web |title=Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers |publisher=[[Food Standards Agency]] |date=26 Nov 2010 |url=http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/chemsafe/additivesbranch/enumberlist#h_2 |access-date=20 Feb 2012 }}</ref> The safety of food colors and other food additives in the EU is evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Color Directive 94/36/EC, enacted by the European Commission in 1994, outlines permitted natural and artificial colors with their approved applications and limits in different foods.<ref name="cook" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sfp/addit_flavor/flav08_en.pdf |title=Color Directive 94/36/EC |access-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-date=May 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509062829/http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sfp/addit_flavor/flav08_en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> This is binding on all member countries of the EU; any changes have to be implemented into national laws by a specified deadline. In non-EU member states, food additives are regulated by national authorities, which usually, but not always, try to harmonize with EU regulations. Most other countries have their own regulations and list of food colors which can be used in various applications, including maximum daily intake limits.

Permitted synthetic colorants in the EU include [[E Number#E100–E199 (colours)|E{{nbsp}}numbers]] 102–143 which cover the range of artificial colors. The EU maintains a list of allowed additives.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/chemsafe/additivesbranch/enumberlist| title=Approved additives and E numbers|website=Food Standards Agency}}</ref> Some artificial dyes approved for food use in the EU include:

* E104: [[Quinoline Yellow WS]]
* E122: [[Carmoisine]]
* E124: [[Ponceau 4R]]
* E131: [[Patent Blue V|Patent Blue{{nbsp}}V]]
* E142: [[Green S|Green{{nbsp}}S]]

The three synthetic colors Orange{{nbsp}}B, Citrus Red No.{{nbsp}}2 and FD&C Green No.{{nbsp}}3 are not permitted in the EU, nor is toasted partially-defatted cooked [[cottonseed flour]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Lehto | first1=Sari | last2=Buchweitz | first2=Maria | last3=Klimm | first3=Alexandra | last4=Straßburger | first4=Raphaela | last5=Bechtold | first5=Cato | last6=Ulberth | first6=Franz |display-authors=3| title=Comparison of food colour regulations in the EU and the US: a review of current provisions | journal=Food Additives and Contaminants: Part A| volume=34 | issue=3 | date=20 January 2017 | issn=1944-0049 | doi=10.1080/19440049.2016.1274431|doi-access=free| pages=335–355| pmid=28004607 }}</ref>