Green S
Score impact
-0.50
points/product
Description
E142, known as Green S or Brilliant Acid Green BS, is a synthetic colorant from the triarylmethane family. It appears as a dark green powder or granules, soluble in water and ethanol, with a blue-green shade in solution. Its origin is completely artificial, obtained by chemical synthesis from petroleum derivatives.
Industrially, it is produced by condensation of benzaldehyde with N-ethyl-N-phenylbenzylamine, followed by sulfonation and oxidation. It is stable to light, heat, and acidic media, but decolorizes in the presence of reducing agents such as ascorbic acid. Its main function is to impart green color to foods, often in combination with other colorants to obtain specific shades.
It was approved as a food additive in the European Union after initial evaluations by the Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) in the 1970s and 1980s. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) re-evaluated E142 in 2010, establishing an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0-5 mg/kg body weight. The World Health Organization (WHO), through the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), also set the same ADI in 1974 and confirmed it in subsequent evaluations.
The overall safety assessment indicates that, within established limits, consumption of Green S does not pose a significant health risk. However, there are controversies about possible adverse effects in hyperactive children, although the evidence is inconclusive. On labeling, it must appear as "colorant" or "Green S", or with its E number. It is authorized in the EU for use in a variety of foods, but with restrictions in some products such as those intended for young children.
Green S is mainly used in the food industry to color products such as non-alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, ice cream, confectionery (gummies, candies), desserts, sauces, canned vegetables, and snack products.
In the Spanish market, it is commonly found in green-colored soft drinks, jellies, flavored yogurts, and chewing gum. Regulation (EC) 1333/2008 sets maximum usage limits that vary by food category: for example, up to 100 mg/kg in non-alcoholic beverages, 200 mg/kg in ice cream, and 300 mg/kg in confectionery. Compared to the US FDA, Green S is not approved as a food additive in that country, so its use is limited to the EU and other regions such as Japan, where it is permitted with similar restrictions. In Japan, the maximum limit is 100 mg/kg for most foods. The regulatory difference reflects different approaches to risk assessment, although the ADI is the same.
It is important to note that E142 is not authorized in foods for infants and young children, except for very specific exceptions.
Documented side effects of Green S are scarce and generally mild. Animal studies have shown that at very high doses it can cause discoloration of feces and urine, but no significant toxic effects have been observed at human consumption doses.
EFSA concluded that there is no evidence of genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, or reproductive toxicity. However, some studies have suggested a possible relationship between consumption of artificial colorants, including Green S, and increased hyperactivity in children. A study from the University of Southampton (2007) associated a mixture of colorants with sodium benzoate with an increase in hyperactivity, but Green S was not evaluated individually. EFSA considered that the evidence was not sufficient to establish a direct causal relationship.
No particularly sensitive populations have been identified, although caution is recommended in people with allergies or intolerances to synthetic colorants. No interactions with medications are known. In conclusion, EFSA and WHO consider Green S safe in authorized amounts, but it remains under surveillance. The ADI of 5 mg/kg/day provides a wide safety margin relative to estimated exposure levels.
- Brilliant Acid Green BS
- C.I. 44090
- Lissamine Green
- Food Green S
- Green S (Brilliant Acid Green BS)
Classification:
Statistics
14
total views
Something wrong?
If you notice incorrect or incomplete information, help us improve the platform.