Determination of artificial colors in ketchup and tomato paste

The effect of composition of canned fruits and vegetables on chromatographic separation of azo-, triphenylmethane, and indigo carmine dyes currently approved for use in the Russian food industry was studied. The study was carried out on a Shimadzu liquid chromatography instrument as a part of efforts to develop a regulatory and technical framework for the control of artificial dyes in food products. The conducted studies revealed the presence of undeclared synthetic dyes in ketchup, which, also according to the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union “Food products in terms of their labeling” (TR 022/2011, effective from July 1, 2013), the manufacturer is obliged not only to indicate, but also to give the following warning to buyers: “It contains a dye that can have a negative effect on children's activity and attention”. The study also showed the need to develop and disseminate new state standards for more types of food products.