20 September 2007 - The Russian Federation recently banned the food dye additive E128 (Red 2G) for use in processed foods, and may refuse food imports that contain the additive.
Russia’s Chief State Sanitary Official Gennadiy Onishchenko issued Resolution Number 68 of the Russian Federation prohibiting use of the food dye additive Red 2G with index E128 on September 3, 2007. Onishchenko cited a European Union (EU) report that linked possible health risks to humans from consuming processed meats treated with the E128 as the impetus for the resolution. Russia’s adoption of a de facto common food phytosanitary policy with the EU regarding E128 will affect food ingredient and processing companies, and exporters targeting the Russian consumer market.
Russia permitted E128 in food processing under previous phytosanitary policies, but reversed its decision shortly after EU regulators banned the ingredient. Prior to the ban, the food colorant could be added to hot dogs with grain and legumes content greater than six percent, and products prepared from ground meat containing more than four percent of grain, legumes, and vegetables with a maximum content of 20mg/kg, and comply with EU norms (Directive 94/36.EC). Russia changed its policy on E128 following publication of a report by the European Agency for Food Standards (EFSA). According to the Russian Resolution, the EFSA report claimed human genes were at risk from Aniline, a toxic substance formed from the mono azo dyes found in E128 that metabolize in the human body.
According to the Russian Resolution, the EU implemented a ban on the additive July 26, 2007. Russia adopted similar policies in early September. The Russian Resolution states in order to reduce the risk of large scale, non-infectious diseases of the Russian population from imported food products, imports of products containing E128 additives to the Russian Federation territory are banned pending results of intensive toxic and hygienic studies. The Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Science and Federal State Public Health Institution (Federal Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology) should conduct studies of food additive colorant Red 2G with index E128 within a year.
Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs involved in the production, trade, and handling of food additive E128 and products containing these additives should discontinue the products.