Illegal dyes
Analysis of illegal dyes
Unauthorised azo dyes such as Sudan dyes, Rhodamine B or Orange II are sometimes illegally added to enhance the appearance of spices, sauces, or other food products. They pose health risks and are strictly prohibited under EU law. Eurofins Food & Feed Testing supports you with precise, accredited testing solutions that uncover even trace amounts of illegal dyes.
Key services
- Screening and confirmation of illegal dyes in food, feed, and raw materials
- Targeted analysis for Sudan I–IV, Rhodamine B, Orange II, Para Red and others
- Advanced techniques such as LC-MS/MS and HPLC-DAD for high sensitivity and specificity
- Low detection limits suitable for complex matrices like spices, sauces, and herbal blends
- Accredited methods in line with ISO 17025 and EU food safety regulations
- Fast turnaround times and clear, multilingual reporting
- Benchmarking against regulatory thresholds and internal quality standards
Additional services
In addition to our routine testing, we offer a range of complementary services to support your quality assurance measures:
- Support in sampling strategies and risk-based monitoring plans
- Supply chain risk assessments and raw material audits
- Customised method development for specific product types
- Training and consulting for your quality and regulatory teams
Legal bases and guidelines
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (food additives regulation)
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 (specifications for food additives)
- Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (general food law)
- EFSA scientific opinions on food colours and contaminants
Get in touch
Would you like to find out more about our testing solutions, or do you need individual analytical support? Contact us today to get in touch with our experts.