Alimentary Products Research Articles

Health Attitudes of Women Living in Religious Communities-A Preliminary Study.

Members of consecrated life communities exhibit homogeneity with regard to factors that are relevant to health, including diet, daily activities, religiosity, and housing. This may be indicative of the manner in which the community influences the formation of the health-seeking attitudes of its members. The objective of this study was to validate a survey about health awareness and health-seeking attitudes among consecrated people and to identify potential issues to be improved. In addition, the study aspires to provide insights into the lifestyles of consecrated persons in Poland, based on the results of the survey and available data. The study group included 27 female participants, members of societies of apostolic life and non-habitual apostolic religious congregations of the Roman Catholic Church. The participants were invited to express their comments and suggestions on the survey, with the purpose of validating the survey before using it as a tool for a larger study. All participants agreed that nutrition, rest, and physical activity had a significant impact on health. A total of 89% of participants considered their lifestyle as healthy and a similar proportion indicated that living in a consecrated community had a positive impact on their health, with the most positive influence of factors related to spiritual exercise, rhythm of the day, and sense of interpersonal connection within the community. Approximately 44% of participants indicated that their attitude was based on a healthy diet and adequate sleep quality. However, they identified an existing need to improve the balance between work and rest. Additionally, 4% of respondents admitted irregular eating habits, ignoring quality of alimentary products, non-satisfactory rest time, and insufficient sleep. Even though the purpose of this study was only to validate a survey predestined for a larger study, it already gives an insight into the level of awareness of health behavior and lifestyle of residents of religious communities.

Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree)-nutraceutical, cosmetological and medicinal importance: a review.

Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) is a species of tree with an increasing utility, occurring naturally mainly in Pakistan and northern India. M. oleifera is currently cultivated in Africa, South America, Asia and the Middle East. The usage of its leaves, seed oil, bark, fruits, flowers and roots has positive opinions of FDA (American Food and Drug Administration), EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and CosIng (Cosmetic Ingredients database). The chemical composition of M. oleifera is dominated by: proteins (consisting mainly of amino acids such as arginine or serine), fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), vitamins (vitamin A, B and C and tocopherols), mineral salts (including several bioelements, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium), valuable polyphenolic compounds from the group of phenolic acids (e.g., gallic acid, ferulic acid) and flavonoids (e.g., myricetin, rutoside, and kaempferol). The raw materials show antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Dietary supplements and alimentary products containing M. oleifera are recommended as health-promoting and "novel food" preparations. The main purpose of this work was a review of the latest scientific literature on M. oleifera, with particular emphasis on the studies focusing on its chemical composition, biological activity and safety. Moreover, the review tends to discuss the results of biotechnological studies using this material and the agronomical significance.

Effects of Fructose and Palmitic Acid on Gene Expression in Drosophila melanogaster Larvae: Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

One of the largest health problems worldwide is the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases due to the consumption of hypercaloric diets. Among the most common alterations are cardiovascular diseases, and a high correlation between overnutrition and neurodegenerative diseases has also been found. The urgency in the study of specific damage to tissues such as the brain and intestine led us to use Drosophila melanogaster to study the metabolic effects caused by the consumption of fructose and palmitic acid in specific tissues. Thus, third instar larvae (96 ± 4 h) of the wild Canton-S strain of D. melanogaster were used to perform transcriptomic profiling in brain and midgut tissues to test for the potential metabolic effects of a diet supplemented with fructose and palmitic acid. Our data infer that this diet can alter the biosynthesis of proteins at the mRNA level that participate in the synthesis of amino acids, as well as fundamental enzymes for the dopaminergic and GABAergic systems in the midgut and brain. These also demonstrated alterations in the tissues of flies that may help explain the development of various reported human diseases associated with the consumption of fructose and palmitic acid in humans. These studies will not only help to better understand the mechanisms by which the consumption of these alimentary products is related to the development of neuronal diseases but may also contribute to the prevention of these conditions.

Determination of selected herbicides in sugarcane-derived foods by graphene-oxide based disposable pipette extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Sugarcane is widely cultivated in Brazil. Although there are Maximum Residue Limits of pesticides determined for this plant, there is no legislation covering alimentary products from sugarcane. In this study, Disposable Pipette Tip Extraction (DPX) technique was evaluated as a sample preparation technique for simultaneous determination of eleven herbicides followed by LC-MS/MS analysis in three sugarcane-derived food matrices: juice, candy, and syrup. First, graphene oxide anchored to silica functionalized with octadecyl silane and endcapped was synthesized, which was evaluated as a sorbent in DPX. Then, after evaluating the parameters involved in DPX extraction, the method was validated following the ICH guide. As a result, the method showed acceptable linearity (r ≥ 0.99), limits of quantification (1.0 – 5.0 ng mL−1 for juice and 5.0 – 25.0 ng g − 1 for candy and syrup, varying according to the pesticide), precision, and accuracy within the limits of the literature, and recoveries ranging from 48 – 69% (juice), 34 – 89% (candy), and 28 – 76% (syrup). Finally, the developed method was successfully applied in actual samples of the three studied matrices.

Peach Palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth.): Ancestral Tropical Staple with Future Potential.

A pre-Columbian staple, Bactris gasipaes Kunth. is a palm tree domesticated around 4000 years ago, so appreciated that a Spanish chronicler wrote in 1545, "only their wives and children were held in higher regard" by the Mesoamerican natives. The peach palm is an integral part of the foodways and gastronomy of Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, and other tropical American countries; meanwhile, it is almost unknown in the rest of the world, except for hearts of palm. Although abundant, the species faces anthropogenic threats. The purpose of this study is to describe and summarize the physicochemical, nutritional, and bioactive characteristics of the peach palm and its two main alimentary products: hearts of palm and fruits, highlighting the functional and antioxidant potential of the latter, showing both ancestral and modern uses. There is active research on peach palm products and coproducts that aim for better, more sustainable uses of its traditional and recently found properties. The review and presentation of studies on this strategically relevant species can motivate the protection of endangered populations and stimulate new lines of research to advance development in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, with fair trade, sustainable development goals, and adaptation to climate change in mind.

Biomolecular Profiling by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry in Food and Beverage Analyses.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has frequently been applied to the analysis of biomolecules. Its strength resides not only in compound identification but particularly in acquiring molecular profiles providing a high discriminating power. The main advantages include its speed, simplicity, versatility, minimum sample preparation needs, and a relatively high tolerance to salts. Other benefits are represented by the possibility of automation, high throughput, sensitivity, accuracy, and good reproducibility, allowing quantitative studies. This review deals with the prominent use of MALDI-TOF MS profiling in food and beverage analysis ranging from the simple detection of sample constituents to quantifications of marker compounds, quality control, and assessment of product authenticity. This review summarizes relevant discoveries that have been obtained with milk and milk products, edible oils, wine, beer, flour, meat, honey, and other alimentary products. Marker molecules are specified: proteins and peptides for milk, cheeses, flour, meat, wine and beer; triacylglycerols and phospholipids for oils; and low-molecular-weight metabolites for wine, beer and chocolate. Special attention is paid to sample preparation techniques and the combination of spectral profiling and statistical evaluation methods, which is powerful for the differentiation of samples and the sensitive detection of frauds and adulterations.

The impact of the freezing process on the grain bread quality

Currently, many studies dedicated to the elaboration of new methods of the production of functional alimentary products, including bread made of bioactivated wheat, are being carried out. The application of frozen semi-processed goods will allow one to reduce the labour input in the technological process of grain bread production, conditioned by the introduction of the bioactivation stage. It is acknowledged that the quality of products can change due to the process of freezing. That is why this paper investigates the impact of the process of freezing on organoleptic and physical-chemical quality indicators of grain bread, its microstructure and protein digestibility. The results of the conducted experiment have demonstrated that grain bread baked with the use of frozen semi-processed goods made of bioactivated wheat has slightly lower physical-chemical indicators than those for the bread made without the application of the freezing technology. The data received via electron microscopy has proved the fact of the presence of larger pores in the sourdough of products made of frozen dough if compared to bread baked without frozen raw materials. It is explained by the appearance of large air gaps around the surface of gelatinised starch grains in the samples. The application of frozen dough in the grain bread technology contributed to the increase of protein digestibility that resulted from more active protein destruction at low temperatures, which increases its digestibility. However, the application of the deep freezing technology of dough will help to stop and restart the production process quickly and will shorten the duration of the process of preparation of grain bread. Moreover, this technology will allow one to provide consumers with functional bread made of bioactivated wheat grains in numerous country regions.

The Evaluation of Business Tools for Encouraging Social Responsibility in Older Consumers

Being close to consumers, retail chains have a considerable influence on the formation of social responsibility in society. By applying various means of encouragement, these entities try to draw the attention of consumers to problems in the society and encourage them to contribute to socially responsible activities. The aim of this research was to evaluate whether the means of promoting social responsibility applied in the biggest retail chains of Lithuania selling alimentary products have an influence on a consumer and encourage them to contribute to the promotion of the idea of social responsibility. Analyses of scientific literature, qualitative approaches based on 482 in-depth interviews, analyses of data obtained during the survey, mathematical–statistical analyses and comparative analyses were applied in this research. This article represents the results of the obtained research and emphasizes the main factors promoting and limiting the social responsibility of consumers. It was identified that the social responsibility of consumers in the field of environmental protection is formed by information provided by business entities, company images and other people surrounding the consumer. Social responsibility in the field of charity and support was influenced by information provided by business entities and other people’s opinions. Furthermore, the article concludes with the development of models showing which elements business entities should orient towards in order to promote the social responsibility of consumers in the field of environmental protection or charity and support. The compiled model can be used by all business subjects acting in the retail trade and trying to encourage users to become involved in socially responsible activities.

Досвід застосування Bacillus subtilis на тлі антибактеріальної терапії в дітей

Антибіотик-асоційована діарея залишається актуальною проблемою медицини. У нашому спостереженні діарея на тлі антибактеріальної терапії спостерігалася в 10 % пацієнтів. Антибіотики з групи цефалоспоринів 3-го покоління викликають дисбіотичні порушення в кишечнику переважно за рахунок росту умовно-патогенної флори (грибів роду Candida) та E.coli з гемолітичними властивостями. Вживання харчового функціонального продукту Субалін не лише зменшує негативний вплив антибіотиків на нормофлору кишечника, а й сприяє ліквідації дисбіотичних порушень, що вже існують. На нашу думку, для повного відновлення кількісного та якісного складу мікрофлори курс пробіотичних препаратів повинен перевищувати тривалість антибактеріальної терапії на 7–10 днів, але це потребує проведення додаткових досліджень.

Seaweeds as a Fermentation Substrate: A Challenge for the Food Processing Industry

Seaweeds are gaining momentum as novel and functional food and feed products. From whole consumption to small bioactive compounds, seaweeds have remarkable flexibility in their applicability, ranging from food production to fertilizers or usages in chemical industries. Regarding food production, there is an increasing interest in the development of novel foods that, at the same time, present high nutritious content and are sustainably developed. Seaweeds, because they require no arable land, no usage of fresh water, and they have high nutritious and bioactive content, can be further explored for the development of newer and functional food products. Fermentation, especially performed by lactic acid bacteria, is a method used to produce functional foods. However, fermentation of seaweed biomass remains an underdeveloped topic that nevertheless demonstrates high potential for the production of new alimentary products that hold and further improve the organoleptic and beneficial properties that these organisms are characterized for. Although further research has to be deployed in this field, the prebiotic and probiotic potential demonstrated by fermented seaweed can boost the development of new functional foods.

European inter-comparison studies as a tool for perfecting irradiated food detection methods

Abstract In this paper, we present the results of inter-comparison studies on identification of irradiated food carried out by the leading European laboratories from 1991 to 2018. In 1990s, the Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine in Germany played the leading role in the organization of the inter-laboratory tests on this subject. At the beginning of the present century, the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition and Food National Spanish Centre took over this role. In total, 47 international tests were carried out in which nearly 500 samples of alimentary products were analysed in 37 laboratories from 14 European countries. The tests were aimed at proving the reliability of analytical methods – thermoluminescence (TL), photostimulated luminescence (PSL), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy – for identification of specific irradiated food products and to control the analytical skills and experience of participating laboratories. The results made possible a discussion on why some irradiated food samples are more difficult for identification. In general, the tests showed that TL measurements of products such as herbs, nuts, peppers, and raisins, and EPR studies of fish and chicken bones, fresh strawberries, and dried fruits could be used as reliable control methods. The challenge that control laboratories are facing now, is related to the identification of complex food products such as diet supplements or biopharmaceuticals, in which only some additives are irradiated.

Nanostructured zinc: properties and applications in functional alimentary products

The paper presents the properties of nanostructured zinc salts and their application for the production of functional food for preventive purposes on the example of marmalade, kefir, ice cream and bakery products. The size of nanostructured zinc sulfate was determined by the NTA method. As it turned out, the size of nanoparticles is 145 nm, and the polydispersity coefficient has a value of 1.34, which indicates its ellipsoid shape. These data allow using the synthesized product for functional purposes.

Formulation of açaí (E. oleracea Mart.) Pulp and seeds extracts by co-precipitation in Supercritical Antisolvent (SAS) technology

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is a black-purple berry, typically found in Amazon Rainforest, and a natural phytochemical source, which shows a high content of polyphenols and flavonoids, with remarkable properties as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and natural dye. The precipitation and encapsulation of Açaí extracts with biopolymers by Supercritical Anti-Solvent (SAS) process were investigated and proposed as primary formulation to protect the active compounds from early degradation and its application in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and alimentary products. The extractives were obtained from pulp and seeds by Pressurized Microwave assisted Energy (PMAE)(300 W,1.5 bar) using acidified ethanol/water (1:1v/v) as a solvent. The extracts were characterized in terms of total polyphenols content (TPC). The SAS process was carried out by semi-continuous batch at constant conditions (40 °C,100 bar). Particle morphology was studied by SEM, TGA and FTIR. The best results were obtained when ethanol and PVP were applied, obtaining a particle size reduction and an increment of TPC.

Particle size analysis of pristine food-grade titanium dioxide and E 171 in confectionery products: Interlaboratory testing of a single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry screening method and confirmation with transmission electron microscopy

Titanium dioxide is a white colourant authorised as food additive E 171 in the EU, where it is used in a range of alimentary products. As these materials may contain a fraction of particulates with sizes below 100 nm and current EU regulation requires specific labelling of food ingredient to indicate the presence of engineered nanomaterials there is now a need for standardised and validated methods to appropriately size and quantify (nano)particles in food matrices.A single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) screening method for the determination of the size distribution and concentration of titanium dioxide particles in sugar-coated confectionery and pristine food-grade titanium dioxide was developed. Special emphasis was placed on the sample preparation procedure, crucial to reproducibly disperse the particles before analysis. The transferability of this method was tested in an interlaboratory comparison study among seven experienced European food control and food research laboratories equipped with various ICP-MS instruments and using different software packages. The assessed measurands included the particle mean diameter, the most frequent diameter, the percentage of particles (in number) with a diameter below 100 nm, the particles' number concentration and a number of cumulative particle size distribution parameters (D0, D10, D50, D99.5, D99.8 and D100). The evaluated method's performance characteristics were, the within-laboratory precision, expressed as the relative repeatability standard deviation (RSDr), and the between-laboratory precision, expressed as the relative reproducibility standard deviation (RSDR). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used as a confirmatory technique and served as the basis for bias estimation.The optimisation of the sample preparation step showed that when this protocol was applied to the relatively simple sample food matrices used in this study, bath sonication turned out to be sufficient to reach the highest, achievable degree of dispersed constituent particles. For the pristine material, probe sonication was required. Repeatability and reproducibility were below 10% and 25% respectively for most measurands except for the lower (D0) and the upper (D100) bound of the particle size distribution and the particle number concentration. The broader distribution of the lower and the upper bounds could be attributed to instrument-specific settings/setups (e.g. the timing parameters, the transport efficiency, type of mass-spectrometer) and software-specific data treatment algorithms. Differences in the upper bound were identified as being due to the non-harmonised application of the upper counting limit. Reporting D99.5 or D99.8 instead of the effectively largest particle diameter (D100) excluded isolated large particles and considerably improved the reproducibility. The particle number-concentration was found to be influenced by small differences in the sample preparation procedure. The comparison of these results with those obtained using electron microscopy showed that the mean and median particle diameter was, in all cases, higher when using spICP-MS. The main reason for this was the higher size detection limit for spICP-MS plus the fact that some of the analysed particles remained agglomerated/aggregated after sonication.Single particle ICP-MS is a powerful screening technique, which in many cases provides sufficient evidence to confirm the need to label a food product as containing (engineered) titanium dioxide nanomaterial according to the current EU regulatory requirements. The overall positive outcome of the method performance evaluation and the current lack of alternative standardised procedures, would indicate this method as being a promising candidate for a full validation study.

Physicochemical and Microbiological Analysis of Alimentary Products

Physicochemical and Microbiological Analysis of Alimentary Products

Selective Detection of Folic Acid Using 3D Polymeric Structures of 3-Carboxylic Polypyrrole.

The detection of folic acid in biological samples or pharmaceutical products is of great importance due to its implications in the biological functions of the human body, along with the development and growth of the fetus. The deficiency of folic acid can be reversed by the intake of different pharmaceutical formulations or alimentary products fortified with this molecule. The elaboration of sensing platforms represents a continuous work in progress, a task in which the use of conductive polymers modified with different functionalities represents one of the outcoming strategies. The possibility of manipulating their morphology with the use of templates or surfactants represents another advantage. A sensing platform based on carboxylic functionalized polypyrrole was synthesized via the electrochemical approach in the presence of a polymeric surfactant on a graphite-based surface. The sensor was able to detect the folic acid from 2.5 μM to 200 μM with a calculated limited of detection of 0.8 μM. It was employed for the detection of the analyte from commercial human serum and pharmaceutical products with excellent recovery rates. The results were double checked using an optimized spectrophotometric procedure that confirmed furthermore the performances of the sensor related to real samples assessment.

Clusters in the Function of Strenghtening the Competitiveness of Agricultural Sector – A Review of the Southern and Eastern Serbia Region

The current scope and structure of agricultural production, its high extensiveness, oscillation, low productivity, and inefficient organization of production and traffic flows are factors that limit domestic producers and exporters in reaching the competitiveness on the international market of alimentary products. With the aim of faster and more active inclusion of domestic agricultural products in the world trends of marketing and contemporary agrarian technologies, the accent of the research of this paper was the choice of optimal competitive procedures in the market, through clusters. Clusters represent a form of regional inter-organizational connectedness of enterprises from connected businesses with a unique interest to promote the competitive position of organization within the cluster, branches of economy and appropriate national economies through exchange of experiences and knowledge, sharing resources and joining of research-scientific and other supporting activities (Porter). However, even though clusters have an undisputed importance in strengthening of competitiveness, innovativeness and export of agricultural sector, when it comes to the agriculture in Serbia, and especially in the region of Sothern and Eastern Serbia, a major problem for their development is a rural ambience, characterized by the lack of favorable assumptions for their development. That is why in practice the condition is far from desirable. Numerous practical, institutional and normative problems, doubts and questions are present, which need to be resolved on the move in order for the agricultural clusters to achieve expected effects. The concept of clusters is being wrongly interpreted, so that, instead of being an important strategic lever of promoting the competitiveness, the cluster is being used and misused as a cover for various interests of individuals, local community, even state institutions. The competitive advantage of economy (and agriculture within it), regional development, as well as cluster development, cannot be achieved on their own. They must be directed and mutually supportive processes. Moreover, the government of Serbia with their working bodies must assume a much more operative role in providing adequate institutional environment for clusters, by creating supportive policies, social and legal basis which create a favorable climate for this kind of inter-organizational relationships. Also, with the aim of promoting rural development and networking in the agriculture of the region, the state must be much more pronounced in the certain phases of agricultural cluster development; apart from coordinating, control mechanisms must also be established, in order for one good concept not to be misused and compromised in practice, which is something cluster agents point out to. The state can achieve this through projects that are specifically targeted at agricultural clusters. This must be done on all levels of state structure, from the level of republic to region and local communities. Especially local communities should have more understanding for the processes of association in their respective regions, as the examples from more developed economies show that the successful clusterization of economy is best achieved with a “bottom up” approach.

ОЦЕНКА КАЧЕСТВА ТОВАРНОЙ РЫБЫ, ВЫРАЩЕННОЙ В ПРУДАХ РЫБОКОМБИНАТА «БИСЕРОВСКИЙ»

The objects of this research were the mirror carp and trout growth in fishfactory «Biserovskiy ». The purpose of this research was veterinary and sanitary estimation of these fish. We conducted a pathoanatomic autopsy and inspection of fish, determined organoleptic characteristics and conducted microbiological investigation on the presence of coliforms (E. coli), Listeria monocytogenes, S. aureus in the fish. Veterinary-sanitary examination was conducted in accordance with the reference book «Veterinary and sanitary examination of freshwater fish» and «The rules of veterinary and sanitary examination of freshwater fish and crawfish». Microbiological investigation was conducted in accordance with «Instruction of sanitary and microbiological control of alimentary products from fish and marine invertebrates», GOST 26670-91 «Food products. Methods for cultivation of microorganisms», GOST 10444.15-94 «Food products. Methods for determination of quantity of mesophilic aerobes and facultative anaerobes», GOST 31747-2012 «Food products. Methods for detection and quantity determination of coliformes », GOST 32031-2012 «Food products. Methods for detection of Listeria monocytogenes », GOST 31746-2012 «Food products. Methods for detection and quantity determination of coagulase-positive staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus». According to the results of the research, these fish met the requirements of regulatory documentation, which confirms the safety of products for the consumer. Keywords: fish farming, mirrorcarp, trout, pathological investigation, organoleptic investigation, microbiological investigation, veterinary and sanitary examination.

A new pattern in hepatitis A virus infection in an urban population.

hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a common cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. Since the generalization of vaccination, its incidence had markedly declined. Nevertheless, several HAV-outbreaks have been described in the last decade, mainly related to contaminated alimentary products. In recent years, a new pattern of acute HAV infection has been described with changes in the demographic profile of the infected population, which is more common in healthy young men. a retrospective case series study was performed to evaluate this possible change in the pattern of HAV infection. The case series included all patients with a diagnosis of HAV acute infection in our hospital between January 2005 and May 2017. a total of 196 cases were diagnosed which were comprised of two probable outbreaks: one starting in November 2008 of 26 cases and one starting in 2016 with 69 cases at the time of data collection. The two outbreak populations were comparable. While the sporadic cases group was predominantly formed by pediatric and third-age patients with a slight male tendency, the outbreak related cases showed a clear predominance for young males (proportion of males: 63.2% vs 85.3%, p < 0.001). A possible chronological relationship with the national gay festivity celebrated in Madrid was observed. Outbreak related cases had higher bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase and longer APPT at diagnosis as well as a lower albumin concentration. The clinical relevance was minimal with a similar hospitalization rate and clinical outcome in both groups. There were no related deaths, acute liver failure or need for liver transplantation in our cohort. these epidemiological findings emphasize the importance of implementing preventive measures as well as social awareness campaigns.

DETERMINATION OF SUNSET YELLOW IN DIFFERENT BRANDS OF ORANGE JELLIES OF BANGLADESH BY HPLC

Synthetic colorants may have adverse health effects, therefore, it is necessary to ensure controlled use of these colorants in various alimentary products. In this study, 54 samples of six brands of orange jellies were analyzed for the determination of ‘Sunset Yellow’ color by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The results showed that the value of Sunset Yellow in one brand of orange jelly exceeded the Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) value, the values in four other brands were within the range of the BSTI value, and it was absent in the last one. One brand yielded more than twice the maximum BSTI value and four times the maximum value from the European Union. These results indicated that there is a need to monitor the amounts of synthetic colorants used in food products to protect the public health from serious adverse effects related to such chemicals and to create awareness to the consumers as well as policy makers.