SFDA confirmed that the two colours E129 & E110 are allowed to be used in food products according to the GSO 23 Saudi/GCC Regulations: ‘Coloured materials used in food stuff’, pointing out that the international regulations such as CODEX, FDA and EU provided allowance of using these colours in food products.

This was in response to a query that  an alert exists on Children Sweets labelling, advising that the two colours may  have adverse effect on children’s’ activity and concentration. SFDA advised that it has recently developed the draft GCC technical regulations for food additives, stipulating in one of its articles that, in case the two colours are used, a commitment shall be made to write the following alert:’ It may have adverse effect on children’s activity and concentration’ and shall be placed at the bottom of the ingredients. SFDA pointed out that such alert on food products labelling is adopted by EC 1333/2008 regulations for food additives.

SFDA further noted that many regional and international regulations allow the use of the two colours E129 & E110 in food products. Also, the requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO) stipulated that the applicable legislations issued by accredited international organizations shall be followed. However, such alerts will give choice to the  consumer to either buy such goods or not.

​