Derived from the small herbaceous plant
of the same name. A purplish-red (blackcurrant) synthetic
coal tar or azo dye found in ice creams, gravy granules, jams,
jelly, tinned fruit pie fillings and prawns and packeted cake
mixes, soups and trifles.
It appears to cause allergic and/or intolerance
reactions, similar to nettle rash, particularly amongst those
with an aspirin intolerance or asthmatics. can provoke asthma,
eczema and hyperactivity; it caused birth defects and foetal
deaths in some animal tests, possibly also cancer
Not recommended for consumption by children.
It is banned in Norway, United States, Russia
and Austria (see E129) with a very
restricted use in France and Italy (caviar only).
Spanish
foods, suppliers of serrano ham and spanish foods