Other names for the additive (synonyms)
General Information
Gold (food additive E175) is a mineral-based food colorant used in the food industry primarily as a decorative coating. The additive belongs to the category of colorants and is applied to give products a luxurious golden appearance.
Additive E175 is of natural origin, as it is pure metallic gold. In nature, it occurs as nuggets or within ores. For food purposes, specially purified high-purity gold is used.
The history of gold use in food dates back to ancient times. In Ancient Egypt and Rome, it was added to drinks and dishes as a symbol of wealth and immortality. In medieval Europe, gold adorned the tables of monarchs and nobility. With the development of technology, it became possible to produce ultra-thin sheets of edible gold, which can now be seen on desserts and beverages.
The chemical symbol of gold is Au. It is a noble metal with a characteristic yellow luster. It has no odor or taste, is insoluble in water and most acids, and does not react with air or moisture. This inertness makes it stable in food products.
For the food industry, gold undergoes multi-stage purification. After extraction, it is refined to very high purity and then mechanically rolled into ultra-thin sheets or ground into powder. The resulting material meets safety requirements for food use.
Effects on the Body
Benefit of Additive E175
Food additive E175 is not a natural part of the human diet and does not perform a biological function in the body. It is not absorbed and does not participate in metabolism. Its inertness means that, at normal consumption levels, it does not undergo chemical reactions in the body.
According to the scientific assessment of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), gold (colorant E175) has very low absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, and most of it is excreted from the body unchanged.
EFSA notes that due to low absorption, gold has almost no systemic effect when ingested in permitted amounts. However, additive E175 does not provide proven benefits for the human body.
Risks of Additive E175
After ingestion, most gold particles pass through the digestive system and are excreted naturally. A small portion may be absorbed, but according to EFSA, the level of such absorption is extremely low.
In its conclusion, EFSA indicates that due to limited data, it is not possible to establish a numerical acceptable daily intake (ADI), but when used according to current legislation, the risk to health is considered low.
JECFA previously reviewed gold as a colorant and also did not establish a specific ADI due to limited use and low consumption, but emphasized the need for high purity of the substance.
In the USA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows the use of gold as a colorant for decorative purposes provided purity standards are met. It is permitted only for external or decorative use in food products.
Potential risks may arise only if gold of inadequate quality is used or if impurities are present. Therefore, regulations require strict purity control. With a significant excess of impurities in gold, theoretical accumulation of microparticles in the body is possible, but actual consumption levels are far below those that caused adverse effects in studies.
Uses
In the food industry, additive E175 is used exclusively as a decorative colorant. It does not alter the taste or aroma of the product but serves an aesthetic function.
Gold is most commonly used in the form of thin sheets, flakes, or powder to decorate confectionery products and cakes, premium chocolate and candies, desserts in fine dining restaurants, alcoholic beverages including liqueurs, and festive or gift products.
Due to its high cost, additive E175 is used in minimal amounts, mainly in the luxury product segment.
Legal Status
In the European Union, food additive E175 is permitted as a colorant for decorative coating under Regulation (EU) No 1333/2008. In 2016, EFSA conducted a re-evaluation of gold safety and did not establish a numerical ADI but confirmed that, with limited use, the risk is low.
In Ukraine, additive E175 is permitted for use according to the list of food additives harmonized with European standards.
In the USA, gold is allowed by the FDA as a colorant for decorative purposes if purity standards are met. In Canada and Japan, gold is also permitted as a food colorant for specialty products.
Today, food additive E175 is not banned in major countries worldwide, but its use is limited to decorative purposes and strict purity requirements.