Esters of colophony

Food additives Europe numbers: E915 
 

Esters of colophony, also known as gum rosin esters or hydrogenated rosin esters, are a category of food additives no longer generally used in food processing due to safety concerns. Here's a breakdown of their properties and past applications:

What are Esters of Colophony?

• These are modified products derived from colophony, a yellowish resin obtained from pine trees. The colophony undergoes a chemical reaction with various alcohols to create esters.

Historical Applications:

• In the past, esters of colophony were used as food additives for several purposes:
  • Cloudiness in Beverages: They acted as clouding agents in beverages like soft drinks or beer, giving them a desired hazy appearance.
  • Chewing Gum Base: Some formulations might have used esters of colophony as a chewing gum base ingredient.
  • Other Potential Uses: Limited information suggests they might have been used in other applications like candy glazes or coatings.

Safety Concerns and Regulations:

• Concerns about the safety of esters of colophony for food use arose due to potential digestive irritation and genotoxicity (ability to damage DNA).
• Regulatory bodies like the FDA and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) have discouraged or banned their use in food.

Current Status:

• The use of esters of colophony in food is not generally approved or recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA in the US.
• Many other countries have also implemented similar restrictions.

Alternatives:

There are safe and approved alternatives available for the functions esters of colophony once served:

• Cloudiness in Beverages: Other clouding agents like gum arabic or cellulose-based materials are commonly used.
• Chewing Gum Base: Chewing gum manufacturers use safe and well-established ingredients like chicle or synthetic elastomers for the gum base.

Conclusion:

Esters of colophony are not recommended for use in food due to safety concerns. Safe alternatives are available for the functionalities they once provided in food processing.