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E132 – Indigotine: Blue Food Colorant Explained
E132, known as indigotine or indigo carmine, is a synthetic blue food colorant approved in the EU for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
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E132, known as indigotine or indigo carmine, is a synthetic blue food colorant approved in the EU for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
What is E132?
E132, commonly known as indigotine or indigo carmine, is a synthetic blue food colorant belonging to the class of indigoid dyes. It is produced through the chemical sulfonation of indigo and imparts a characteristic blue to blue-green color to food products, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Within the European Union, E132 is an approved food additive regulated under EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives.
Origin and Production
Indigotine is produced synthetically by sulfonation of indigo, a dye that has been known and used for thousands of years as a natural colorant derived from plants. The synthetic form is preferred in modern applications because it ensures consistent quality and reliable coloring properties. Its chemical name is disodium 2,2-[(3,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-ylidene)(3-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-ylidene)methyl]dibenzenesulfonate.
Uses in Food and Pharmaceuticals
E132 is used in a wide variety of products, including:
- Confectionery and candies
- Ice cream and frozen desserts
- Beverages and soft drinks
- Baked goods and decorative coatings
- Pharmaceutical products (as an excipient in tablets and capsules)
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Diagnostic applications (e.g., as a contrast agent in kidney function tests)
In medicine, indigotine is also used as a diagnostic aid to assess kidney function and to identify urinary leaks during surgical procedures.
Safety and Health Assessment
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) have classified E132 as generally safe for human consumption. The established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is 5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.
In sensitive individuals, the following reactions may occasionally occur:
- Allergic skin reactions or urticaria (hives)
- Nausea at high intake levels
- Very rarely, hypersensitivity reactions
Unlike some other azo dyes such as E102 (tartrazine), E132 has not been associated with the so-called Southampton effect -- an increase in hyperactivity in children linked to certain artificial colorants. Nevertheless, health authorities recommend limiting the intake of artificial food dyes in children as a precautionary measure.
Labeling Requirements
In the EU, E132 must be declared in the ingredient list of food products either by its name indigotine or by its E number E132. Unlike certain other artificial colorants, E132 is currently not subject to a mandatory warning label regarding behavioral effects in children.
References
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of indigotine (E 132) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2014.
- Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA): Indigotine. WHO Food Additives Series, Geneva.
- European Union: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives.
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