Page 157 - CW E-Magazine (13-5-2025)

News from Abroad

tive molecules, direct access to techno meet consumers’ expectations attracted also unconscious.” “An active fra-
logical tools developed by DSM-Firme by fragrances with proven emotional grance is designed to have an active
nich’s R&D department, and finally, benefits. influence on the body, mind, and
the development and use of a new emotions through an ingredient – or
methodology for testing the functional Mr. Julien Sausset, CEO of Initio a combination of ingredients – whose
benefits of fragrances. The brand, Parfums Privés, said, “Most of effect is recognised by science or
part of the SBGC Group (Sprecher the brands only test with panels the age-old knowledge. For 15 years, our
Berrier Group of Companies) along- conscious feedback from clients brand has been developing this vision
side Parfums de Marly, founded by on products. This partnership with of perfume as a transformative and
Julien Sprecher and acquired in 2023 DSM-Firmenich allows us to do some transcendent object,” explained
by the Advent International fund, testing at a different scale – not only Mr. Quentin Dubois, Head of Initio
is banking on this strategic move to conscious feedback from clients, but Parfums Privés Europe.

CONTROVERSIAL MOVE
US FDA moves to phase out of many synthetic food dyes

The US Food and Drug Adminis- gastrointestinal issues and more. Mr. safety concerns with artificial dyes,
tration (FDA) is pushing the US food Makary said the agency would begin citing past reviews by the US FDA
industry to stop using synthetic food the process of revoking authorisation and other international authorities,
dyes, in a bid to fulfil one of Health for two synthetic food colourings and said that their use is “essential for
and Human Services (HHS) Secretary within the coming months and would consistency, visual appeal, and con-
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s goals to swap work with industry to eliminate six sumer trust in food products.”
them out with natural alternatives in other dyes by the end of next year.
the US food supply. The FDA in a press release said it “Requiring reformulation by the
plans to authorise four new natural end of 2026 ignores scientific evi-
The US FDA’s move stops short of colour additives in the coming weeks, dence and underestimates the com-
the outright ban that had been floated while also accelerating the review plexity of food production. The pro-
for in Kennedy’s “Make America and approval of others. cess is neither simple nor immediate,
Healthy Again” platform from the and the resulting supply disruptions
campaign trail. Instead, it relies on Of the eight synthetic dyes derived will limit access to familiar, afforda-
what the Department of Health and from petroleum, Yellow 5, Yellow ble grocery items,” the International
Human Services said was a “national 6 and Red 40 constitute the lion’s Association of Color Manufactu-
standard and timeline for the indus- share of those in use, according to rers said in a statement after the
try” to voluntarily make the switch. Mr. Peter Lurie, President and Executive announcement.
Director of the non-profit Centre for
“Let’s start in a friendly way and Science in the Public Interest. These Makary said the transition from
see if we can do this without any statu- are found in a range of products from artificial food dyes to natural ingre-
tory or regulatory changes. But we beverages and candies to cereals, dient dyes will not increase food prices.
are exploring every tool in the tool- sauces and dairy products. He suggested that food makers use
box to make sure this gets done very ingredients like watermelon juice, beet
quickly,” US FDA Commissioner “None of them convey anything of juice and carrot juice to colour their
Mr. Marty Makary told reporters at any nutritional significance, and what food. Mr. Kennedy said his Depart-
an event to announce the plan. “For they’re really there for is to mislead – ment of HHS had an understanding
the last 50 years, American children to make food appear somehow redder, with the food industry on removing
have increasingly been living in a somehow bluer, somehow fruitier or artificial dyes, and Mr. Makary said
toxic soup of synthetic chemicals,” more attractive than it is. And the pur- he was hoping companies would
he said and cited studies linking syn- pose of all that is to drive up sales, it’s adjust their ingredients without any
thetic dyes to conditions including not anything that benefits the American statutory or regulatory changes, but
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, public,” said Mr. Lurie. The food that he is looking at tools to ensure
diabetes, cancer, genomic disruption, dye industry has denied there being compliance.

Chemical Weekly May 13, 2025 157

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