E102 - Тартразин (Tartrazine)

Characteristics of the additive E 102 / Tartrazine

Tartrazine is an artificial (synthetic) food coloring that gives food a lemon yellow to orange color. It is one of the few azo food dyes produced from petroleum products. It is not found in nature in its pure form. It is prepared from coal tar. In its physical form, tartrazine is a water-soluble yellow powder with a golden tinge. When exposed to sunlight, the E102 additive can break down into simpler compounds. 

Synthetic food colors such as additive E 102 are used to make food more visually appealing. Tartrazine is widely used because it is one of the cheapest synthetic dyes. It is used as a colorant in the food industry to give products a yellow color. It is often mixed with other dyes to give the products a specific color and shade that is impossible to obtain with natural dyes, as well as to restore the original appearance of food that may be lost in the production process. Artificial food coloring is often cheaper and more affordable than natural food coloring.

Apart from food, they can also be found in cosmetics and other products. They are absorbed to some extent through the skin.

Use of tartrazine (E102)

Despite the harm of the substance, manufacturers use it in an effort to save money. First of all, it is used in confectionery, in the production of soft drinks, 

The additive is used in the manufacture of confectionery - candy, cakes, carbonated beverages; yellow drinks of different shades. The dye can also be found in canned vegetables (peas, pickles, etc.) and fruits, mustard, semi-finished soups, yogurt and red sauces.

• cereals;
• ready-made cake mixes;
• packaged pies;
• packaged gingerbread;
• chips;
• frozen foods;
• instant and plain puddings;
• ice cream;
• candy coatings;
• hard candy;
• floral marshmallow,
• flavored carbonated beverages.

Tartrazine is also used in cosmetics, as well as a dye for silk and wool.

Impact on humans

This substance may cause skin problems such as hives (hives), atopic dermatitis (skin rashes associated with allergies), angioedema (swelling of the lips, tongue, throat and neck caused by the release of histamine in an allergic reaction), asthma, food intolerance, headache, disorders of the nervous system and psyche. Tartrazine is a carcinogen, ie it can cause cancer.

There is still much controversy about the dangers of the E102 additive. For example, the use of tartrazine has been banned in many European countries, but under pressure from the European Union, the ban on the use of E102 and a number of other food additives has been lifted. The additive E102 is approved for use in the food industry in Russia, Ukraine and other European countries.

In the UK, studies have shown that regular use of the colorant leads to hyperactivity and decreased concentration in children. Tests in the United States show that 1 in 10,000 people develop an allergy to the product (skin rash). By its nature, E 102 refers to industrial waste and is extremely dangerous for asthmatics. May cause migraine, itching, impaired vision and other side effects.

In most countries, the use of the food additive E102 in food products is strictly standardized and usually amounts to 100-150 mg of dye per kilogram of the final product.