Tar Colors in Foods Distributed throughout the Gyeong-In Region -Monitoring Favorite Food Items of Children Near Elementary Schools-

Abstract In Korean, nine tar colors are permitted in foods. This study assessed these compounds in the favorite fooditems of children found near elementary schools. A total of 439 items categorized under six food types were included inthe analysis. The most frequently detected tar colors were tartrazine (Y4), Brilliant Blue FCF (Y5), Allura Red, and SunsetYellow FCF, respectively. One or a mixture of two tar colors were commonly found in products such as gums, ice bars,soft drinks, and cereals. However, most often, combinations of two or three tar colors were detected. The levels of tarcolors in candies, chocolates, gums, ice bars, cereals, and soft drinks were 0.11-1169.58 mg/kg, 0.73-468.02 mg/kg, 0.10-602.46 mg/kg, 0.25-162.32 mg/kg, 0.11-753.68 mg/kg, and 0.21-69.45 mg/kg, respectively. Tar color levels were higher inchocolates and gums than in soft drinks and ice bars. And Y4 and Y5 were detected at the highest levels. For ages 7-12,the total estimated daily intake ( ∑ EDI) of each tar color ranged from 0.004 to 1.017 mg/day/person. These values were0.02-5.98% of the FAO/WHO's acceptable daily intake (ADI).