What effect do food additives E101, E103, E104, E105 and E123 have on the body? What harm is done to a person? Effect on the body.

Amaranth E123 is a synthetic monoazo dye, banned for use in the Russian Federation. The food additive is a dark red granules or powder, soluble in water, coloring the solution red. In the Russian Federation, the dye amaranth E 123 is prohibited for use in Food Industry. Approved for food production in a number of EU countries. It is used for coloring confectionery, canned fruit, ice cream, drinks and other products. The ban on the use of amaranth as a food additive in the Russian Federation is associated with its carcinogenic effect on the human body. Conducted in the 70s of the last century, animal studies revealed a negative effect of the dye on the liver and reproductive function, as well as on the development of offspring. In the EU, the toxic properties of E123 are not considered proven, and the previously assumed carcinogenic effect of the dye is also refuted. The food supplement amaranth is not related to the plant of the same name.

Amaranth (E-123) - synthetic dye - prohibited for use on the territory of the Russian Federation. Amaranth formerly used as a food coloring and cosmetic coloring, but after 1976 was banned in the United States by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as a carcinogen.

It is a water-soluble powder of red-brown or from dark red to purple decomposing at -120 `C without melting. Its aqueous solution has an absorption maximum at about 520 nm. Amaranth obtained from coal tar.

Effects on the body: Very dangerous. Causes malformations in the fetus, has carcinogenic properties.

p.s. there is a plant named Amaranth. This plant has nothing to do with the dye.

Amaranth is an anionic dye. It can be used for dyeing natural and synthetic fabrics, leather, paper and phenol-formaldehyde resins.

As a dietary supplement amaranth registered under code E-123. Ukraine requires mandatory state registration of food additives Amaranth E-123.

All the additives described in the article are dyes and are artificially synthesized.

E101- nothing more than vitamin B2 (riboflavin); E103 (alkanet, alkanine) extracted from the roots of the Mediterranean plant Alkanna dyer.

Е104 (Quinoline yellow) has impurities of sulfate and sodium chloride, toxic foreign molecules. It is used in the form of sodium salt.

E105- yellow strong (acid), E 123 is called amaranth in a different way, and in some countries, Charming Red.

Features and chemical properties

Technical vitamin B2 is a solid bitter lemon-orange substance, almost insoluble in alcohol and water, stable in an acidic environment.

Sometimes it is used in the form of a better soluble sodium salt. Does not decompose at high temperature, decomposes in the light and in alkalis.

By chemical structure is a sugar combined with a flavin substance. It does not accumulate in the body, with an excess excreted in the urine.

Alkanet is soluble in fats, under the influence of strong oxidants it decomposes into carbon, sulfur, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur.

E 104, E 105, E 123 have 2 nitrogen atoms connected by a double bond, which causes harm to the body. Quinoline yellow is a yellow-green substance, contains several sulfur atoms, melts at 150 °C.

Resistant to alkalis and acids, at high temperatures, light. Dissolves phosphorus and sulfur. It is divided into 2 forms: soluble in alcohol and water.

E 105 is extremely stable in external environments.

Amaranth is obtained from coal and oil.

It dissolves in water, when heated to 120 ° C, it decomposes without melting. It exists in the form of sodium salts.

The annual plant amaranth and the substance of the same name are in no way connected with each other.

The plant is famous for its scarlet flowers and seeds, which are rich in protein and healthy.

Purposes of application

All the additives under consideration restore the lost color of the product after its processing and preparation, give it a marketable appearance.

Vitamin B2 is enriched in food and animal feed, and is also used to make them yellow.

E103 - a dye of gold, burgundy, red or brown.

Quinoline yellow is used on its own to color food lemon-colored or in combination with other dyes to give green, brown, black tones. For example, the yellowish-golden color of smoked fish is not achieved by high temperature, but thanks to this substance.

E 105 tints products in all shades of yellow, and E123 - from blue-red to purple and brown.

Examples of products with these additives

Food supplement

Products containing it

dry breakfast cereals, cereals, pasta, children food, processed cheese, peanut butter, milk, sauces, juices, energy drinks

confectionery, oils, tinctures, wines

smoked fish, caviar, groceries, drinks (including alcoholic), muffins, processed cheese, dairy products, colored dragees, sweets, icicles, chewing gum, ice cream, baby food, seasonings, sauces, fruit and canned vegetables, fruits and vegetables in glaze, jams, preserves, Easter eggs, soups, edible sausage casings, dry potato and cereal snacks

confectionery, juices, drinks, Ice Tea

mixes for baking, breakfast cereals, jellies, soft drinks, canned berries, semi-finished products.

Together with other dyes - in puddings, ice cream, sweets

Are they dangerous or not?

Riboflavin is useful, but due to poor solubility, it is almost not absorbed by the intestines.

To intensify the production of the vitamin, it is obtained from genetically modified bacilli and fungi, and GMOs are not useful.

In industrial production, riboflavin always contains impurities that can cause harm.

With its excess intake, urine has an unnatural color, but this does not harm health.

E103 is dangerous and prohibited for use in our country and on the territory of other states of Europe and the USA.

Quinoline yellow has an average hazard class, closer to dangerous. Food Standards Agency on the basis of scientific research in 2009, its limit daily rate was reduced by 20 times. The dye is excreted with bile and urine unchanged, i.e. not absorbed.

Additive E 104 is prohibited in Norway, Australia, Japan and the USA. Now it is added to tablets (in particular, expectorant lozenges and valerian), cosmetics, fabrics.

The dye Yellow strong is highly dangerous. In China, India, Thailand, and other eastern countries, it is widely used for food; in the Customs Union, Ukraine, USA, Canada, Japan and European countries is prohibited.

Amaranth is extremely dangerous. It is allowed in some European countries, Canada and the UK.

What effect do they have on the body?

Riboflavin converts enzymes into an active form, participates in the reactions of some other proteins, in particular antibodies. Helps digest carbohydrates and proteins, deliver oxygen to tissues. Regulates the activity of the thyroid gland, the reproductive system, produces red blood cells.

Lack of vitamin B2 is fraught with consequences:

  • stomatitis;
  • sore throat;
  • cracks and peeling on the lips, jams;
  • muscle weakness;
  • sensitivity of the eyes to light, their redness;
  • cancer.

E 103 provokes oncology (even with irregular use in microquantities in the long term), with short-term contact with eyes and skin causes irritation, rash.

The dye does not have a minimum safe daily dose. Scientific developments in relation to alkanine are ongoing to this day.

Alkanet was banned in Russia only in 2008, while other countries abandoned it about 30 years ago.

Despite the proven harm of E 103, some countries (Australia) continue to add it to food. Therefore, while traveling and buying imported goods, you should carefully read the composition.

What effect does E104 have on the body and what harm does it cause? The use of E 104 in food causes:

  • hyperactivity in children;
  • suffocation in asthmatic patients, which stops only in medical institutions;
  • rash, inflammation of the skin;
  • skin allergy;
  • inflammation of the nasal mucosa;
  • diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;

Dyes E 104 and E 123 should not be used by people with sensitivity to aspirin.

Quinoline yellow, combined with the common preservative sodium benzoate, exacerbates children's attention deficit disorder.

The consequence of this is rapid fatigue and poor health.

E 105 is a carcinogen, with a single consumption it causes an allergy.

Amaranth causes cancer, as well as deformities and heart disease in the fetus, rash, runny nose, negatively affects the ability to reproduce, the kidneys and liver, and causes hyperactivity in children.

Harmful food colorings found in everyday products. Unsafe imported goods enter the shelves, bypassing customs bans. How many more people will lose their health until scientists prove the undeniable harm of some supplement is unknown.

E 123 is an artificial chemical used in the food and chemical industries, as well as in the manufacture of cosmetics as a dye.


In addition, it is also used in the cosmetic industry. Often it is part of lipsticks, blush, shadows.

In the chemical industry, E 123 is used for dyeing natural and artificial fabrics, leather, paper, and plastic.

Looking for quality seafood? Pay attention to the brand.

Impact on the human body

Within the territory of Russian Federation the use of Amaranth in food production is prohibited.

Its use is also prohibited in the USA, as well as in some EU countries, although in most European countries, incl. and Great Britain, E 123 remains legal.

The properties of Amaranth have been studied since the 70s of the XX century, but there is still no clear answer about the effect of this substance on the human body. Studies conducted in 1976 by American scientists showed that eating it increases the likelihood of cancer. Moreover, there is an opinion about the harmful effects of E 123 on the kidneys and liver, as well as on human reproductive abilities.

Chemical composition and dangerous properties dye E123 Amaranth were studied in the middle of the 20th century. This food additive is considered unsafe for human life, therefore the use of dye is prohibited in the food industry in some countries. The dye E123 was chemically synthesized using nitrogen-containing compounds.

The composition of the dye E123 Amaranth

The substances included in the chemical composition of the dye E123 Amaranth allow you to paint in a wide palette of colors - from shades of blue to deep purple colors. The universal composition of the dye E123 Amaranth can be used not only in food production. Amaranth is stained with leather, paper or fibrous materials.

Food supplement E123 contains nitrogen coloring compounds that mankind has discovered and has been actively using since the 50s of the last century. This substance can be produced at low cost, and as a result, sufficiently stable chemical properties and qualities can be obtained.

Harm of dye E123 Amaranth

The harm of the dye E123 Amaranth lies in the base chemical composition substances. Like most food additives of synthetic origin, E123 is made from coal tar. The name of the dye E123 comes from the Amaranth plant, which is distinguished by the juicy and bright red color of its inflorescences. However, the plant has nothing to do with the chemical currently used in the UK.

The English producers of the famous Canned Cherry delicacy decided to completely ignore the scientifically proven and justified harm of the E123 Amaranth dye, which is still used to give the fruits their characteristic fiery red color. The history of the prohibition of the dye and food additive E123 began back in 1954, when cases of cancer were made public in people who often eat foods with E123.

Then, already in the early 60s, the FDA introduced restrictions on the permissible level of dye content in products. At the same time, the packages of products that contained the E123 Amaranth dye in their composition had to be marked with a special red label so that consumers could make their own choice.

Soviet researchers also contributed to the ban on the dangerous substance dye E123 Amaranth. Studies have been conducted that have linked the consumption of E123 and the occurrence of cancerous tumors. Activists achieved a complete ban on additives in the late 70s. However, E123 has been replaced in the food industry in some countries by a new synthetic additive called "Red Charming AC".

Currently, the dye E123 Amaranth is widely used in the manufacture of cosmetics and cosmetics. Some manufacturers use a dangerous dye in the composition of lipsticks, blush, eye shadow. The dye is used in the chemical industry to color various materials, including paper, fibers or plastics.

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