Litholrubine Bk
Also known as: E180, Rubinpigment, Pigment Rubine, Lithol rubine bk
E180 is authorized in the EU only for the surface of edible cheese rinds at a specified maximum level; EFSA re-evaluated it in 2010 and revised the ADI downward. It is not approved as a color additive in the US, so it cannot be used in foods sold in the United States.
What it is
Litholrubine BK (E180) is a synthetic monoazo red colorant used solely for surface coloring of edible cheese rinds in the EU.
Food color; surface coloring of cheese rinds (not the cheese itself).
Why it's flagged
- azo dye class
- narrow EU approval (cheese rind only)
- not approved in the US
What regulators actually say
"EFSA re-evaluated the safety of Litholrubine BK (E 180) and established an ADI of 1.5 mg/kg bw/day."
"E 180 Litholrubine BK is authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 only for the surface coloring of edible cheese rind."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Not on FDA's list of approved color additives; not permitted in foods sold in the US.
European Union — EFSA
EFSA 2010 re-evaluation set ADI of 1.5 mg/kg bw/day; authorized only for edible cheese rind surface.
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