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As foodstuffs adulterated by illegal dyes, such as Sudan I, II, III IIV, para-Red, have appeared on the European Union market, the emergency measures to eliminate this problem have been taken. The illegal dyes are added to dried, ground chilli, curry, curcuma and to palm oil. These products are imported from countries outside the E.U. The adulteration concerns also ready to eat products which contain the ingredients mentioned above. Apart from the adulteration, the presence of illegal dyes in foodstuffs can be a threat to consumer's health. In 2003-2005 three Commission Decisions on emergency measures regarding some products which can contain illegal dyes were published. Since May 2003 to March 2006, 651 notifications on food adulteration by illegal dyes were sent to the RASFF system. As a result of the taken measures, the number of notifications have decreased. The possibility of food adulteration by illegal dyes different from the ones which are used now are considered. This is the reason why the continuation of food control and cooperation between official control authorities and food producers are necessary.

The aim of this study was to adapt the method of total aromatic amines determination in dyes for food purposes and application in food industry. The level of total aromatic amines, expressed as aniline, was found in the range of 2.6 to 4.0 x 10-(6) g/kg in selected food products--coffee, walnuts, hazlenuts, peanuts. The proposed method is simple, easy to perform and reliable, therefore may be recommended to use in food industry laboratories.

Methods of identification and quantitative determination of synthetic dyes in gelatine jellies have been described. Extraction and isolation procedures of synthetic food dyes have been developed specifically for gelatine products. The various techniques have been used as follows: paper chromatography, absorption spectrophotometry and polarography. Tartrazine, Cochineal Red and Indigotin in amounts permitted by Polish legislation have been determined.