Sometimes on the ingredients list of certain products, mainly foods, you’ll find something that kind of goes like “artificial colors: blue #1, yellow #6, etc.” What do the numbers after the colors stand for?
I’m pretty sure they represent the chronological order that the dye was introduced.
Hell, I thought it would be easier to find cites backing my theory, but this article from the wayback machine is the closest thing I can find explaining the numbering system.
The reason I was convinced about the chronological ordering scheme was that I remember the scare over Red dye #2 back in the 70s and the subsequent rapid increase in numbers for red dyes.
[QUOTE=wayback machine]
For complete lists of color additives approved for use in food, drugs and cosmetics–including the year approved, uses and restrictions–write to:
Division of Colors and Cosmetics
FDA (HFF-442)
200 C Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20204
[/QUOTE]
I think I’ll write them.
Or perhaps the order in which they were approved by the FDA?
The European Union has a standardized numbering system for food additives, including colouring agents; these numbers are occasionally used on non-European products as well. But it looks like the particular examples you gave in your OP aren’t using this system.
Well, I doubt it’s order because I’ve see a lot of “red #40.” The examples I’ve seen the most of are “Blue#1, Red#40, Yellow #6”. And I’ve also seen “yellow 5,” but probably because that was on mouthwash, and it’s probably a different type of dye.
I believe it may have something to do with the order in which they were approved by the FD&C (Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act), since there are many dyes that have been approved, but have since been disbanded from use in foods, cosmetics and/or pharmaceuticals.
I, for one, am tickled FF66FF to see cmyk posting in this thread.
Aww, c’mon, you’re gonna make me FF6666.
That’s awfully RGB of you.