Tartrazine in baits for freshwater fish up to 30 mg/kg: determined in feed by LC-MS/MS, in the additive spectrophotometrically at 426 nm, and EFSA assessed the colouring efficacy in boilies at an average ΔE*ab of 1.54
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/85, published on 15 January 2026, authorises until 4 February 2036 tartrazine as a colourant in baits for food-producing freshwater fish — up to 30 mg/kg complementary feed. The baits are scattered to attract fish in ponds and rivers when angling; the additive must not be used in feed for aquaculture. In its opinion of 17 September 2024 EFSA could not assess efficacy; it did so in its opinion of 6 May 2025 on the basis of colour measurements.
- Methods in the annex: total colouring matter in the additive is determined spectrophotometrically at 426 nm (FAO JECFA monograph and Regulation (EU) No 231/2012), and tartrazine in compound feed by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The reference laboratory considered its earlier evaluation of the methods still valid, so no new report was needed.
- Purity criteria: colouring matter as the sodium salt ≥ 85 %, subsidiary colouring matters ≤ 1 %, organic compounds other than colouring matters ≤ 0.5 %, unsulphonated primary aromatic amines ≤ 0.01 %, ether-extractable matter ≤ 0.2 %. EFSA (e9021): 5 batches had 90.7–91.6 % colouring matter, other organic compounds 0.05–0.34 %, amines < 0.01 %; lead up to 0.77 mg/kg; Stauber-Heubach dusting potential 1658 and 7375 mg/m³ in two batches, while for the third the measurement failed because the dust could not be recovered from the filter.
- Efficacy (EFSA e9461): 3 batches each of boilies without the additive and with 30 mg/kg tartrazine were measured with a spectrophotometer 10 times each over 300–800 nm, D65 illuminant, 10° observer. L* rose from 65.7 to 66.7, a* fell from 4.1 to 3.3, b* rose from 48.8 to 49.1; ΔE*ab was 1.12–6.27, on average 1.54. On the scale quoted by EFSA, ΔE 1–2 is a difference noticeable only on close inspection; EFSA described the measured colour difference as small and concluded that tartrazine has the potential to colour baits effectively.
- The additive is a skin and respiratory sensitiser, inhalation and skin contact are considered a risk, and EFSA could not conclude on irritation — skin, eye and respiratory protection is required. The directions for use state storage conditions and stability to heat treatment; tartrazine is already authorised, among others, for cats, dogs and ornamental fish.