Color additives in chewing gum products sold through Indian online marketplaces: variances and compliance with food safety norms in India, the EU, and the USA.

Background: Chewing gum (CG) is a widely consumed confectionery product, and it often contains various synthetic color additives to enhance the visual appeal. However, the regulatory status of these colorants differs across regions.

Objective: This study aims to systematically identify the color additives found in the list of ingredients of chewing gum products available on Indian online marketplaces and to compare the regulatory frameworks governing these food colorants in India, the European Union (EU), and the United States of America (USA).

Methodology: Chewing gum products were identified from Indian online marketplaces namely Amazon Fresh, BigBasket, and Flipkart using "chewing gum" as the specific search keyword. The data on color additives listed in the ingredients list of these products were systematically collected, categorized, and evaluated. A comparative regulatory assessment of the food colorants used in chewing gum was also conducted, examining differences in their permitted or prohibited status across India, the EU, and the USA.

Results: The study assessed CG products [N = 51], identifying 15 different color additives. A total of around 80% of the chewing gum products contained one colorant, while 20% contained between 2 and 5 colorants. Notably, the study detected the presence of Ponceau 4R, Erythrosine, and Azorubine, which are banned in the USA, in addition to Titanium Dioxide that is banned in the EU for their association to potential health risks such as hyperactivity in children and carcinogenicity.

Conclusion: The study urges the Indian authorities to ban suspected harmful color additives and promote safer alternatives.