PHYSICOCHEMICAL, MICROBIOLOGICAL AND MICROSCOPICAL QUALITY CONTROL OF COLOURING AGENTS (COLORAU) COMMERCIALIZED IN PERNAMBUCO (BRAZIL)

Abstract

To verify if coloring agents were manufactured in accordance with the criteria established by Law, microscopical, microbiological and physicochemical analysis were performed in 14 types of coloring agents known as colorau. The chemical composition, the presence of salmonella, total an fecal coliforms and synthetic dyes, as well as the content of sodium chloride, were the parameters studied. About 75% of the samples did not comply with the CNNPA (Comissão Nacional de Normas e Padrões para Alimentos) standards due to the presence of fecal coliforms. Labels of 25% of the samples did not contain information required by Law (ingredients used and the presence of unknown substances) .Whole seeds were present in 21% of the samples and 35% of the products had 60dium chloride in excess or did not .mention its presence in their labels. Sinthetic dyes were not detected in the samples.