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Concern that synthetic food dyes may impact behavior in children prompted a review by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). OEHHA conducted a systematic review of the epidemiologic research on synthetic food dyes and neurobehavioral outcomes in children with or without identified behavioral disorders (particularly attention and activity). We also conducted a search of the animal toxicology literature to identify studies of neurobehavioral effects in laboratory animals exposed to synthetic food dyes. Finally, we conducted a hazard characterization of the potential neurobehavioral impacts of food dye consumption. We identified 27 clinical trials of children exposed to synthetic food dyes in this review, of which 25 were challenge studies. All studies used a cross-over design and most were double blinded and the cross-over design was randomized. Sixteen (64%) out of 25 challenge studies identified some evidence of a positive association, and in 13 (52%) the association was statistically significant. These studies support a relationship between food dye exposure and adverse behavioral outcomes in children. Animal toxicology literature provides additional support for effects on behavior. Together, the human clinical trials and animal toxicology literature support an association between synthetic food dyes and behavioral impacts in children. The current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acceptable daily intakes are based on older studies that were not designed to assess the types of behavioral effects observed in children. For four dyes where adequate dose-response data from animal and human studies were available, comparisons of the effective doses in studies that measured behavioral or brain effects following exposure to synthetic food dyes indicate that the basis of the ADIs may not be adequate to protect neurobehavior in susceptible children. There is a need to re-evaluate exposure in children and for additional research to provide a more complete database for establishing ADIs protective of neurobehavioral effects.

Two accurate and efficient reversed-phase methods, one by high-performance thin-layer chromatography with ultraviolet‒visible detection (RP-HPTLC‒UV/VIS) and the other by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (RP-HPLC‒DAD), for the simultaneous determination of eight synthetic food dyes (Tartrazine, Ponceau 4R, Sunset yellow FCF, Allura red AC, Brilliant blue FCF, Carmoisine, Quinoline yellow, and Patent blue V) in drinks with simple pretreatment were developed and applied to analyze some alcoholic and soft drinks. Detection was performed in the visible range in both cases at wavelengths (nm) of maximum absorbance (420 yellow, 500 red, or 630 blue), depending on the color of each dye. Both developed methods were validated for selectivity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), intra- and interday precision, and recovery, with good results. The RP-HPTLC‒UV/VIS method showed linearity (R2 > 0.998) in the 7–125 µg/mL calibration range, LOD of 0.27–0.92 µg/mL, LOQ of 0.82–1.49 µg/mL, intraday precision (%RSD) of 2.57–7.57, interday precision (%RSD) of 4.21–9.31, and recovery for alcoholic and soft drinks of 86.87–99.87% and 82.70–96.67%, respectively. The RP-HPLC–DAD method showed linearity (R2 > 0.999) in the 1.56–50.0 µg/mL calibration range, LOD of 0.11–0.29 µg/mL, LOQ of 0.32–0.90 µg/mL, intraday precision (%RSD) of 0.13–2.15, interday precision (%RSD) of 0.30–2.47, and recovery of 98.17–101.30% and 88.13–101.9% for alcoholic and soft drinks, respectively. These methods were successfully applied to analyze the 8 synthetic food dyes in 11 (3 alcoholic and 8 soft) drinks from the Romanian market to verify compliance with the label and the maximum permitted level of food dyes in drinks to ensure food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, fast and highly sensitive method for the determination of synthetic food dyes in binary mixtures by the absorbance subtraction method has been developed. In accordance with the requirements of the methodology in the determination of Sunset Yellow (E110), Ponceau 4R (E124) and Tartrazine (E102) dyes, analytical wavelengths λ1iso=510 nm and λ2=560 nm as well as λ1'iso=450 nm and λ2'=525 nm were chosen for the first (E110 and E124) and second (E102 and E110) mixtures, respectively. Simultaneous determination of dyes E124, E110 and E102 is possible with satisfactory accuracy in the range of their concentrations from 1 to 30 μg/ml. It was established that the error of the determination of individual dyes by the absorbance subtraction method at isoabsorptive point is at the level of 1-3 % in model mixtures with different ratios of component concentrations. The percentage of the found dye content varied for E110 from 98.7 % to 101.2 %, for E124 - from 98.6 % to 99.2 %, and for E102 - from 98.8 to 101.2 %. It was found that the error of determination of individual dyes by the proposed method is smaller than that obtained by the Firordt method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a new ion-pair solvent including tetra-n-butyl-ammonium iodide and 1-pentanol was prepared for the first time and it was used for microextraction and UV–Vis spectrophotometric determination of tartrazine (E102), sunset yellow (E110), ponceau 4r (E124), allura red (E129) and brilliant blue (E133). Analytical parameters of the procedure such as pH, concentration of ion-pair solvent and its volume, times of vortex and centrifugation were optimized. Interference effect of matrix ions and dyes were investigated after optimization of the parameters. Limits of detection between 24 and 82 μg L−1 and limits of quantification in the range of 80–275 μg L−1 were determined for the examined dyes. Preconcentration factor was obtained as 15 for each of the dyes. Relative standard deviations were found between 3.2 and 6.1%. Linear dynamic ranges were obtained between 0.28 and 20 µg mL−1 for the determined dyes. Procedure was applied to various food samples including energy drinks, powdered juice samples, syrups and candies. Analyte addition-recovery studies were also performed both for validation of procedure and determination of dye concentrations in the real samples. Food dye contents of real samples were determined between 5.9 and 52.4 μg mL−1 for liquid samples and 6.2 and 135.2 μg g−1 for solid samples with satisfactory recovery results ranging from 93 to 103%. Finally, the greenness of the developed procedure was assessed using two tools, the Green Analytical Procedure Index and Analytical Eco-Scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Concern that synthetic food dyes may impact behavior in children prompted a review by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). OEHHA conducted a systematic review of the epidemiologic research on synthetic food dyes and neurobehavioral outcomes in children with or without identified behavioral disorders (particularly attention and activity). We also conducted a search of the animal toxicology literature to identify studies of neurobehavioral effects in laboratory animals exposed to synthetic food dyes. Finally, we conducted a hazard characterization of the potential neurobehavioral impacts of food dye consumption. We identified 27 clinical trials of children exposed to synthetic food dyes in this review, of which 25 were challenge studies. All studies used a cross-over design and most were double blinded and the cross-over design was randomized. Sixteen (64%) out of 25 challenge studies identified some evidence of a positive association, and in 13 (52%) the association was statistically significant. These studies support a relationship between food dye exposure and adverse behavioral outcomes in children. Animal toxicology literature provides additional support for effects on behavior. Together, the human clinical trials and animal toxicology literature support an association between synthetic food dyes and behavioral impacts in children. The current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acceptable daily intakes are based on older studies that were not designed to assess the types of behavioral effects observed in children. For four dyes where adequate dose-response data from animal and human studies were available, comparisons of the effective doses in studies that measured behavioral or brain effects following exposure to synthetic food dyes indicate that the basis of the ADIs may not be adequate to protect neurobehavior in susceptible children. There is a need to re-evaluate exposure in children and for additional research to provide a more complete database for establishing ADIs protective of neurobehavioral effects.

Two simple spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of synthetic food dyes (SFD) in a binary mixtures using the Mean centering (MC) and Ratio difference (RD) methods. The analytical characteristics of MC and RD methods for determining the content of SFD in mixtures of dye Yellow Sunset (E 110) with Ponceau 4R (E 124) and Tartrazine (E 102) with E124 in the model solutions and carbonated beverages were evaluated. Analytical wavelengths of 560 and 420 nm and 430 and 490 nm for the first (E 110 and E 124) and second (E 102 and E 110) mixtures, respectively, were selected for the implementation of methods and construction of calibration graphs. The concentration ranges at which the dyes can be determined are from 1 to 30 μg / mL. For both methods, the correlation coefficients were obtained, the value of which is not less than 0.995, which indicates the absence of influence of the calculation method on the obtained results. It is established that the error of determination of individual dyes by MC and RD methods is at the level of 1-3 % in model mixtures with different concentration ratios of components. The percentage of found dye contents varied for E 110 from 98.3 % to 101.8 %, for E 124 - from 98.6 % to 99.2 %, Е 102 - from 98.4 % to 102.0 %, The method has been successfully used to determine dyes in soft drinks. The results obtained did not differ within the error from those obtained by chromatography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of 10 synthetic food dyes with human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy, biopartitioning micellar chromatography (BMC) and molecular docking studies. The results obtained by fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that these dyes could strongly quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA due to interaction with Trp-214 residue of HSA. The binding constant (Kb) and the number of HSA binding sites were calculated using modified Stern–Volmer equation. BMC as a micellar mobile phase is used as an in vitro system by polyoxyethylene 23 lauryl ether (Brij-35) to predict the Kb of food dyes to HSA. The relationship between the BMC retention data and Kb of food dyes was modeled and the predictive ability of model evaluated. The correlation coefficient (R) and standard error (SE) of developed model were 0.928 and 1.994, respectively. Moreover, molecular docking explorations show that interaction occurs in the subdomain IIA (site I) of HSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern manufacturers prefer synthetic dyes due to their chemical stability, bright color, and low cost. Azo dyes are the most widely used in industry. The most popular are the dyes of red and yellow colors, among them– ponceau 4R. However, different countries of the world have different legislative norms regarding the permissibility of using ponceau 4R in medicine and food production. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) established the value of a safe daily intake of synthetic dyes based on available clinical trials. However, it should be noted that EFSA documents are based on the results of the works which contain information concerning consumption rates of particular dyes and food additives, but not their combinations. Ponceau 4R is banned in the United States and Canada. It is considered that the presence of dyes in the drug’s composition for pediatric practice causes allergic reactions in children. Pollution of water and soil by synthetic food dyes is potentially dangerous to living things from different parts of the food chain. The negative effect of ponceau 4R dye on crustaceans, freshwater fish, and cultivated plants has been experimentally proven. The permissible daily intake of ponso 4R colorant for humans is 0–4 mg/kg body weight per day. Ponceau 4R is broken down in the gastrointestinal tract with the participation of anaerobic microflora, followed by absorption of metabolites formed in the intestine. According to various authors, ponceau 4R in combination with other dietary supplements caused structural changes in the duodenum of white rats, and also influenced the behavioral responses of experimental animals and their offsprings (anxiety, reduced adaptive responses, decreased activity, and emotional disturbances). It has been established that ponceau 4R in combination with other food dyes has the ability to cause inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress. A significant proportion of scientific publications point to the problem of qualitative and quantitative determination of ponceau 4R, amaranth, tartrazine, and other colorants in food and medicines.

Color is one of the key ingredients for increasing the appetizing of food, so food dyes have become firmly established in food production technologies. However, with the acquisition of toxicity data of synthetic food dyes (SFD), there were restrictions and standards for their content in food have emerged. Numerous papers published in recent years demonstrate the importance of the problem of the use and definition of SFD. The review contains over 180 literary references in the field of usage and methods of determination of synthetic food dyes, among them regulatory documents (regulations), official internet resources of international and Ukrainian organizations, review articles and original works. Varieties of chromatography, enzyme-linked immunoassay, optical and electrochemical methods are used to identify and determine SFD. Special attention was paid to voltammetry (VA) as a method that is cheaper than chromatography and completely satisfies selectivity, sensitivity, reliability requirements and is compatible with the concept of green analytical chemistry, as it doesn't need organic solvents. Moreover, single sweep voltammetry can be considered as a screening method with low limits of determination and rapid response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid phase extraction, based on the use of color catcher sheets, was successfully employed for the preconcentration of food dyes from alcohol containing beverages. The photos of color catcher sheets with the adsorbed dyes were taken with a mobile phone. The smartphone-based image analysis of the photos was performed using Color Picker application. The values of several color spaces were collected. Specific values from RGB, CMY, RYB and LAB color spaces were proportional to the dye concentration in the analyzed samples. The described inexpensive, simple and elution free assay enables analysis of dyes concentration in various solutions. [Display omitted] • Synthetic food dyes in alcohol containing beverages were extracted. • Color catcher sheets were used as low-cost textile-like adsorbent. • Smartphone-based image analysis enabled semiquantitative determination of dye concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with the application of the QuEChERS method for extraction of synthetic food dyes (SFD) from confectionery samples: tartrazine (E102), quinoline yellow (E104), cochineal red A (E124), allura red (E129), patent blue V (E131), and brilliant blue (E133). Extraction conditions, like extraction solvent and its amount, sample amount, the pH adjustment and addition of salt, were optimised. The 5 mL of sample, 2 mL of propan-1-ol as extraction solvent with addition of 0.6 g NaCl, 2.4 g MgSO4, and 0.75 mL 35% HCl were experimentally found to be optimal. Analyses of extracts were performed by liquid chromatography with detection of SFD in the visible region. Recoveries of SFD were in the range of 79.3-100.0% with intra-day precision below 4.6% RSD. The modified QuEChERS method connected with liquid chromatography has been applied to quantify SFD in samples of confectionery (smarties and jellies). The whole procedure was evaluated as a fast method for screening of SFD content in samples of jellies and smarties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A green type composite biosorbent composed of pine, oak, hornbeam, and fir sawdust biomasses modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was first used for biosorption of an unsafe synthetic food dye, Food Green 3 from liquid medium in this study. Batch studies were carried by observing the effects of pH, dye concentration, biosorbent amount, and contact time. The equilibrium data were analyzed using Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin–Radushkevich equations. Freundlich model gave a better conformity than other equations. The maximum dye removal potential of biosorbent was found to be 36.6 mg/g based on Langmuir isotherm. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intra-particle diffusion models were applied to clarify the process kinetics of biosorption. The mechanism studies suggested the biosorption process obeying Elovich kinetics and involving pore diffusion. The estimated values of biosorption free energy from Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm (Evalue <8 kJ/mol) and thermodynamic studies (0 < ΔG° < −20 kJ/mol) implied a spontaneous, feasible, and physical process. Hence, this investigation suggested that the CTAB modified mix sawdust biomass could be a promising biosorbent for biosorption of such problematic dyes from impacted media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Em razão da grande utilização de corantes alimentícios artificiais nos mais diferentes produtos, o controle de qualidade se torna imprescindível. Um dos problemas que pode estar presente, nestes corantes, é o teor elevado de metais tóxicos em sua composição, provenientes da contaminação da síntese da matéria-prima ou do processo de manufatura. Neste trabalho, os corantes em solução foram caracterizados por espectrofotometria na região do visível e ultravioleta. Posteriormente, foram determinados os metais Pb, Cd, Al, Cr e As, em soluções aquo-alcóolicas de corantes artificiais, vendidas comercialmente. Foram encontrados todos metais pesados tóxicos estudados nas amostras de dois diferentes lotes de corantes, com alto coeficiente de variação, com o As excedendo os limites legais em um dos lotes.Synthetic food dyes is the most additives using in food products in high concentration more time, in that the quality control is indispensable. The concentration of toxic metals in most of productsexceeded the limit of legislation, due to contamination by raw material or manufacturing process. This paper was determinate Pb, Cd, Al, Cr and As in solutions of synthetic food dyes. All of these metals were determinated with high variation coefficient.

A green, simple, and efficient micro-preconcentration method termed electro-micro-preconcentration is introduced. This organic solvent-free method is based upon the electro-kinetic migration of the ionized compounds under study by the application of an electrical potential difference. In a glass tube, used as a preconcentration unit, 1 mL of the aqueous sample solution under investigation was added, and two electrodes (as the anode and cathode) were placed at the two ends of the tube. By choosing a proper tube diameter and length (4 mm and 10 cm, respectively), the convection and mass diffusion were reduced. Under these semi-stagnant conditions, the synthetic food dyes under investigation (as the anionic analytes) migrated from the cathode to the anode by applying a low electrical potential difference, and they were concentrated around the anode (the preconcentration area, 100 μL). The effects of some important parameters including the preconcentration time, applied voltage, pH range, and ionic strength on the preconcentration efficiency were investigated and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed method provided a good linearity in the range of 0.005–15 μg mL − 1 , suitable limits of detection (0.001–0.015 μg mL − 1 ), good preconcentration recovery (29–40%), and good repeatability (RSD values below 9.8%, n = 5). The method was successfully applied to the preconcentration of some synthetic food dyes as the model compounds in a number of food-stuff samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and efficient extraction technique with a sub-microliter organic solvent consumption termed as in-tube electro-membrane extraction (IEME) is introduced. This method is based upon the electro-kinetic migration of ionized compounds by the application of an electrical potential difference. For this purpose, a thin polypropylene (PP) sheet placed inside a tube acts as a support for the membrane solvent, and 30 μL of an aqueous acceptor solution is separated by this solvent from 1.2 mL of an aqueous donor solution. This method yielded high extraction recoveries (63–81%), and the consumption of the organic solvent used was only 0.5 μL. By performing this method, the purification is high, and the utilization of the organic solvent, used as a mediator, is very simple and repeatable. The proposed method was evaluated by extraction of four synthetic food dyes (Amaranth, Ponceau 4R, Allura Red, and Carmoisine) as the model analytes. Optimization of variables affecting the method was carried out in order to achieve the best extraction efficiency. These variables were the type of membrane solvent, applied extraction voltage, extraction time, pH range, and concentration of salt added. Under the optimized conditions, IEME-HPLC-UV provided a good linearity in the range of 1.00–800 ng mL −1 , low limits of detection (0.3–1 ng mL −1 ), and good extraction repeatabilities (RSDs below 5.2%, n = 5). It seems that this design is a proper one for the automation of the method. Also the consumption of the organic solvent in a sub-microliter scale, and its simplicity, high efficiency, and high purification can help one getting closer to the objectives of the green chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First application of primary amines for dyes microextraction. • Dyes separation from food sample into micellar solution of 1-octylamine. • SUPRAS formation after dyes separation into micellar solution. • Both hydrophobic and hydrophilic dyes microextraction. • HPLC-PDA determination of synthetic dyes in foodstuffs using SUPRAS. An effective and simple surfactant-mediated microextraction of synthetic dyes from solid-phase food samples into the primary amine-based supramolecular solvents is presented for the first time. The developed procedure involved two stages: (i) an isolation of dyes from a solid-phase food sample into a micellar solution of the primary amine; (ii) a preconcentration of the extracted dyes into the supramolecular solvent phase generated from the obtained micellar solution under a coacervation process. The microextraction procedure was applied for the determination of synthetic dyes in confectionery, dried fruits, and spices samples. The supramolecular solvent formed from aqueous micelle aggregates of 1-octylamine due to coacervation induced by thymol provided maximum extraction recovery values for synthetic dyes. In the proposed two-stage extraction procedure the micellar solution of primary amine was a media for analytes isolation from solid-phase and their followed preconcentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An efficient method was developed for the simultaneous determination of seven commonly used synthetic sulfonate dyes (Ponceau 4RC, Sunset yellow, Allura red, Azophloxine, Ponceau xylidine, Erythrosine and Orange II) in animal feed and meat using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS). Ethanol–ammonia–water (80:1:19, V/V/V) solution was used as extract solution, which can extract target species while reducing interference from the sample matrices. The recoveries of these 7 dyes in animal feed and chicken meat were between 71% and 97% with relative standard deviations less than 14.8%. HPLC–MS/MS was employed as a further means of confirmation to assure accuracy of the results. Limits of detection for these dyes were in the range of 0.02–21.83ngmL−1. The proposed method can be applied to confirmative screening of seven commonly used food colorants in feed and meat samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present work proposes a study of the synthesis of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide) monolithic column embedded with γ-alumina nanoparticles and its applications to the extraction of synthetic food dyes in soft drink samples. The monolithic column was synthesized inside fused silica capillaries using thermally initiated free-radical polymerization with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) as the monomer, N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide (MBAAm) as the cross-linker, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dodecanol as the porogen. γ-Alumina nanoparticles were introduced to prevent the swelling of the organic polymer and enhance the loading capacity. In order to obtain optimum experimental conditions, sample pH, sample flow rate, sample volume, eluent flow rate were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, we obtained acceptable linearities, low limits of detection, and good intra-day/inter-day relative standard deviations. When applied to the determination of four synthetic food dyes (Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow, Allura Red, and Azorubine) in soft drink samples, satisfactory recoveries were obtained in the range of 90.4–109.2%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this work was to present a chromatographic methods to analyse synthetic food dyes. The following techniques has been described: thin-layer liquid chromatography (TLC), high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), traditional column chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), include: ion-pair chromatography (HPLC IP), reversed phase chromatography (RP HPLC) and high performance ion chromatography. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Fe-embedded coffee biochar catalysts were synthesized at high pyrolysis temperatures. • Improving catalytic properties was most pronounced for Fe@HCBC prepared at 700 °C. • Fe@HCBC700/H 2 O 2 system showed the highest degradation of synthetic food dyes. • ESR study demonstrated a significant role of •OH in degradation of synthetic food dyes. • Heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction governed the degradation of synthetic food dyes. Fe-embedded biochar catalysts originating from waste coffee grounds (Fe@HCBCs) were developed at different pyrolysis temperatures (500, 600, and 700 °C) for the Fenton oxidation of synthetic food dyes: amaranth (AM) and sunset yellow (SY). Increasing the pyrolysis temperature significantly improved the physicochemical properties of the Fe@HCBCs (i.e., surface area, total pore volume, and Fe content), which led to the highest AM and SY removal in the Fe@HCBC700/H 2 O 2 system. The Fe@HCBC700/H 2 O 2 system showed 19.0 and 14.6 mg(dyes)/g(catalysts)·h of catalytic reaction rate for AM and SY, respectively. The results of the scavenging experiment and electron spin resonance revealed that hydroxyl radicals (•OH) were the dominant reactive oxygen species for the oxidation of AM and SY by the Fe@HCBCs/H 2 O 2 system. The heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction between the Fe content of the Fe@HCBC surfaces and H 2 O 2 was the main contributor to the oxidation of AM and SY compared with the homogeneous Fenton reaction caused by aqueous Fe with H 2 O 2. The effects of catalyst dosage (0.1–0.5 g/L), H 2 O 2 concentration (0.0–12.5 mM), pH (3.0–9.0), and solution temperature (15–35 °C) on the oxidation of AM and SY by the Fe@HCBCs/H 2 O 2 systems at pH 3.0 were also investigated. The opposite result was obtained in a suspension with pH > 5.0; that is, the removal efficiency gradually increased as the pyrolysis temperature decreased (500 °C > 600 °C > 700 °C) because of the abundance of O-containing functional groups on the surface of the Fe@HCBC500. These observations imply that pyrolysis temperatures might have a strong impact on the catalytic degradation of synthetic food dyes using the Fe@HCBCs/H 2 O 2 systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A multipurpose and multicomponent method for detecting food dyes was developed. • The sample preparation and the HPLC method were simple, fast and cheap. • The entire method was validated and allowed obtaining very good figures of merit. • The method proved to be versatile for analyzing a variety of solid and liquid samples. • The method showed potential to be applied for quality control and food inspection. A simple and low-cost multipurpose analytical method using HPLC-UV-DAD was developed and validated, following international guidelines, for the determination of six synthetic food dyes: Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow, Amaranth, Allura Red, Indigotine, and Brilliant Blue. The method required a simple sample preparation step that consisted of dissolution or dilution of the samples in water, followed by pH adjustment and filtering through PVDF filters. No significant matrix effect was verified. Linear working ranges varied from 0.25 to 6.0 mg L−1. Appropriate limits of quantification (0.10 to 0.15 mg L−1), mean recoveries (90.2 to 106.6%), and repeatability and intermediate precision (<4.5%) were obtained. Sixty-one samples of different types of foodstuffs were analyzed: jelly and juice powder, jelly candy, jujube candy, hard candy, ice cream syrup, sports drinks, soft drinks, energy drinks, artificially colored ready-to-drink fruit juices and flavored alcoholic beverages. All studied samples showed dye levels in conformity with Brazilian regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]