Color Additives are exempt from Certification. are commonly referred to as "natural" additives. They are obtained from plants, animals or mineral sources. Because of their "natural" origin we tend to forget that they may be as dangerous as any synthetic food-coloring agent , like carmine or cochineal which are added to your strawberry Yoplait yogurt.

These exempt additives come from such sources as vegetables, minerals, animals as well as man-made concoctions from natural foodstuffs. Normally man-made color additives have no flavour, while colors made from natural foods may well impart some unexpected flavour and color results. Keep this in mind if you plan on using homemade natural color additives at home

Annatto, E160(b) is a derivative of the achiote trees of tropical regions of the Americas, a red colour; derived from a tree (Bixa orellana); used as a body paint, fabric dye, digestive aid and expectorant; used to dye cheese, butter, margarine, cereals, snack foods, soaps, textiles and varnishes; known to cause nettle rash, the HACSG* recommends to avoid it.

B-Apo-8'-carotenal E160(e) is a cartenoid found spinach and citrus fruits.  No adverse effects are known.

Beta-carotene E160A Natural colour isolated from several plants; however, it is obtained commercially from carrots. Carotenes occur as isomers, consisting of a series of chemically identical, but sterically different components. The actual composition differs .

Beet powder E162 is the  purple colour derived from beets; no adverse effects are known.

Canthaxanthin, E161G  Commercially prepared from catharelles (mushroom) or flamingo feathers. However, it is mainly produced synthetically from carotene.

Caramel coloror caramel coloring E150  is made by a carefully controlled heat treatment of carbohydrates , (nutritive sweeteners ) e.g. glucose syrups generally in the presence of acids, alkalis, or salts, in a process called , in a process called caramelizatio.

Cochineal extract E120 is obtained from the dried bodies of female Dactylopius coccus Costa insects .. Allergy sufferers unwittingly consuming products containing the coloring have been known to come out in rashes, hives and even succumb to anaphylaxis attacks. You can read more about cochineal  in my  article of August 10, 2009  "Crushed Bugs In My Yogurt - No Thanks"!

Some food colorings derived from insects have also caused allergic reactions. A panel from the National Institutes of Health determined in 1982 that coloring additives were not related to claims of hyperactivitym, yet recent studies in the United Kingdom appear to disagree.

Grape peel extractE163 (Anthocyanins and anthocyanidins are a large group of natural colours. The colour of most fruits, flowers and berries is made up from a combination of anthocyanins and anthocyanidins. Anthocyanins always contain a carbohydrate molecule, whereas anthocyanidins lack this molecule. The individual compounds are isolated from different plant species. E163(i)-(iii) are mixtures.