ABSTRACT
In the past century, utilization of synthetically manufactured dyes were used for the coloration of food, only those products were used that were available on a local basis. During a transitional period, when food coloring was put on a legally defined basis, various countries published their own individual lists of permitted food colorants. Harmonizing these lists has now been achieved in the EU, but not in countries outside the EU. The same applies for the coloration of cosmetics and drugs. Significant differences to the guidelines of the EU can be found e.g., in the U.S., Japan and Norway. This creates a great problem for exporters of colored foods, drugs and cosmetics, as there are not only national differences for dyes, but also for, e.g., food additives. Under certain circumstances it might become necessary to use different colorants for different countries as they are subject to different limitations. For further details national laws and guidelines must be consulted.
