Survey of Occurrence and Type of Artificial Colors in Nuts and Conventional Ice Cream Supplied in Karaj City in 2012

Background: Based on current rules of country, the use of artificial colors in traditional ice cream production and nut processing is not allowed. Because of the attractiveness that artificial colors in this product make, their use is being increasing. Therefore, it's necessary and important to control these products. Methods: The research was conducted in two separate studies. In a study, 163 samples of traditional ice cream and in other study, pistachio, Indian walnut, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed and Japanese seed, 28 examples of each, were collected from the supply surface of Karaj city. Samples were analyzed for color determination. After color extraction by acetic acid, ammonia and wool, color identification done by TLC. Results: from samples of pistachio, Indian walnut, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed and Japanese seed surveyed, 35.7, 39.3, 27.2 and 21.4, contained artificial colors, respectively. From 163 ice cream samples examined, 57 samples (34.97) contained artificial color and 106 samples (65.03) had natural color. The most applied color in analyzed ice cream and nut was Carmoisin and quinolein, respectively. Conclusion: according to study results, 25 of nuts and 35 of traditional ice cream contained artificial color. Because artificial color gives attractive and favorite apparent to product and information lack of supplier from color side-effect, trend for their applications likely being increased. Itrs suggested to control these products and to punish legally violating units.