The FDA has approved 36 color additives, including nine petroleum-based synthetic dyes used in foods and beverages.
  • skuzz@discuss.tchncs.de
    1·
    9 hours ago

    You’re talking about different chemicals as a comparison not a 1:1. I’ll concede that some dyes may indeed exist only from chemical derivation. However, many do not. We’ve already put more thought into this than RFJ Jr. has, btw. (Not all dyes referenced below are foodsafe, to be clear, just a quick comparison chart.)

    Random table of dyes that can be derived both ways:

    Dye Name Natural Source Synthetic Production Chemical Formula References
    Indigo Indigofera tinctoria (plant) From aniline via Baeyer-Drewsen synthesis C₁₆H₁₀N₂O₂ PubChem, Shepherd Textiles
    Alizarin Rubia tinctorum (madder root) From anthraquinone C₁₄H₈O₄ Wikipedia, PubChem
    Tyrian Purple Murex sea snails Bromination of indigo C₁₆H₈Br₂N₂O₂ Wikipedia, PMC Article
    Cochineal (Carminic Acid) Dactylopius coccus (insect) Complex synthesis; often insect-derived C₂₂H₂₀O₁₃ PubChem, Wikipedia
    Curcumin Curcuma longa (turmeric root) Lab synthesis possible C₂₁H₂₀O₆ PubChem, Wikipedia
    Lawsone Lawsonia inermis (henna leaves) From 1,4-naphthoquinone C₁₀H₆O₃ Wikipedia, ACS
    Betanin Beta vulgaris (beetroot) Rarely synthesized due to complexity C₂₄H₂₆N₂O₁₃ Wikipedia, PubChem
    Quercetin Various plants (e.g., onions, apples) Can be synthesized; mostly extracted C₁₅H₁₀O₇ Wikipedia, PubChem