EVALUATION OF FOOD COLOR CONSUMPTION AND DETERMINING COLOR TYPE BY THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the rol e of the social demographic parameters of the peopl e in charge of the facilities producing pastry, poolak ( a type of coin-shaped candy) and rock candy in the consumption of food colors and to determine color t ype by thin layer chromatography in Shahr-e-kord ci ty in 2011. This research was an interventional-analyt ical study and its target population is the people in charge of the facilities producing pastry, poolak a nd rock candy in Shahr-e-kord city. Social demograp hic data of the participants were collected using check lists and 720 samples of pastry, poolak and rock ca ndy weighing at least 250 gr were randomly taken over a period of 10 months. With respect to color additiv es, the samples were analyzed by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) in four groups: natural colors permitted artificial colors, forbidden artificial colors and without colors. 48.47% contained food color and 6.5 2% contained forbidden artificial food color. Sunset Y ellow was the color the most consumed among the colors used. Regarding the results obtained, there is a hi gh rate of consumption of artificial colors (41.22% ), sunset Yellow being the most consumed. Therefore, it is of great importance to raise the awareness and change the attitude of the people in charge in these jobs as w ell as the consumers with regard to the side effect s of artificial colors, which can be done through the ma ss media and NGOs.