Skip to content

Substance group

What counts as Food colours with combined maximum…?

2 markets define Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III), and they don't all agree. Read each definition below. You tell us if your product contains it; we never guess from its name.

  • Free
  • No account needed
  • The law behind every rule

Group

Definitions

Market
Definition
Listed members
Source
Annex II Part C: Group III: Food colours with combined maximum limit
Curcumin, Tartrazine, Carminic acid, Carmine, Azorubine, Carmoisine, Allura Red AC, Patent Blue V, Indigotine, Indigo carmine, Brilliant Blue FCF, Green S, Brilliant Black PN, Brown HT, Beta-apo-8′-carotenal (C 30), Lutein
“Group III: Food colours with combined maximum limit”
Annex II, line 1530 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-09European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Annex II, line 1530(opens in a new tab)
Annex II Part C (GB): Group III: Food colours with combined maximum limit
Curcumin, Tartrazine, Carminic acid, Carmine, Azorubine, Carmoisine, Allura Red AC, Patent Blue V, Indigotine, Indigo carmine, Brilliant Blue FCF, Green S, Brilliant Black PN, Brown HT, Beta-apo-8′-carotenal (C 30), Lutein
“Group III: Food colours with combined maximum limit”
Annex II, line 619 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-10The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk): Annex II, line 619(opens in a new tab)

Rules

Rules that use these definitions

109 rules.

Requirement
Applies when
Effective
Source
LimitEU
Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III) as defined in European Union

Limit 50 mg/kg (content basis)

The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

  • EU food category: Foods for special medical purposes as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 (excluding products from food category 13.1.5) [13.2]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force, start date unknown

Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M50 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

From the consolidated text: Group III · Colours with combined maximum limit · 50 · (88)

Annex II rows, Part E, category 13.2; row: Group III (Colours with combined maximum limit) · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
LimitEU
Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III) as defined in European Union

Limit 50 mg/kg (content basis)

Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

  • EU food category: Total diet replacement for weight control food as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 [13.3]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 20 Jan 2010

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

From the consolidated text: Group III · Colours with combined maximum limit · 50

Annex II rows, Part E, category 13.3; row: Group III (Colours with combined maximum limit) · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
LimitEU
Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III) as defined in European Union

Limit 100 mg/l (content basis)

The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

  • EU food category: Flavoured drinks [14.1.4]

Depends on: eu food category code

Repealed

Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M7 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

From the consolidated text: Group III · Colours with combined maximum limit · 100 · (25) · excluding chocolate milk and malt products Period of application: until 31 July 2014

Annex II rows, Part E, category 14.1.4; row: Group III (Colours with combined maximum limit) · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
LimitEU
Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III) as defined in European Union

Limit 100 mg/l (content basis)

Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

  • EU food category: Flavoured drinks [14.1.4]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force since 1 Aug 2014

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 1 Aug 2014

The row states a period of application beginning 2014-08-01.

From the consolidated text: Group III · Colours with combined maximum limit · 100 · (25) (74) · excluding chocolate milk and malt products Period of application: from 1 August 2014

Annex II rows, Part E, category 14.1.4; row: Group III (Colours with combined maximum limit) · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
LimitEU
Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III) as defined in European Union

Limit 200 mg/l (content basis)

The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

  • EU food category: Cider and perry [14.2.3]

Depends on: eu food category code

In force, start date unknown

Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M112 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

From the consolidated text: Group III · Colours with combined maximum limit · 200 · excluding cidre bouché, cydr jakościowy, perry jakościowe, cydr lodowy, perry lodowe

Annex II rows, Part E, category 14.2.3; row: Group III (Colours with combined maximum limit) · fetched 2026-10-09

European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III) as defined in European Union

    Limit 50 mg/kg (content basis)

    The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

    Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

    Applies when
    • EU food category: Foods for special medical purposes as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 (excluding products from food category 13.1.5) [13.2]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective

    In force, start date unknown

    Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M50 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: Group III · Colours with combined maximum limit · 50 · (88)

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 13.2; row: Group III (Colours with combined maximum limit) · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III) as defined in European Union

    Limit 50 mg/kg (content basis)

    Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

    Applies when
    • EU food category: Total diet replacement for weight control food as defined by Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 [13.3]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective

    In force since 20 Jan 2010

    Applies to products placed on the market on or after 20 Jan 2010

    Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: Group III · Colours with combined maximum limit · 50

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 13.3; row: Group III (Colours with combined maximum limit) · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III) as defined in European Union

    Limit 100 mg/l (content basis)

    The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

    Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

    Applies when
    • EU food category: Flavoured drinks [14.1.4]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective
    Repealed

    Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M7 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: Group III · Colours with combined maximum limit · 100 · (25) · excluding chocolate milk and malt products Period of application: until 31 July 2014

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 14.1.4; row: Group III (Colours with combined maximum limit) · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III) as defined in European Union

    Limit 100 mg/l (content basis)

    Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

    Applies when
    • EU food category: Flavoured drinks [14.1.4]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective

    In force since 1 Aug 2014

    Applies to products placed on the market on or after 1 Aug 2014

    The row states a period of application beginning 2014-08-01.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: Group III · Colours with combined maximum limit · 100 · (25) (74) · excluding chocolate milk and malt products Period of application: from 1 August 2014

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 14.1.4; row: Group III (Colours with combined maximum limit) · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)
  • LimitEU
    Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III) as defined in European Union

    Limit 200 mg/l (content basis)

    The start date is not stated in the text (date unknown).

    Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 18 Aug 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02008R1333-20260818 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.

    Applies when
    • EU food category: Cider and perry [14.2.3]

    Depends on: eu food category code

    Effective

    In force, start date unknown

    Art. 35: applies from 20 January 2010; Annex II as consolidated 2026-08-18, amendment dates of single rows not tracked. The row sits in the block marked ▼M112 (inserted or replaced by an amending act); the published text lists the amending acts with their Official Journal publication dates only, not their application dates, so 20 January 2010 (Art. 35) stands in for the row's start date.

    Source

    From the consolidated text: Group III · Colours with combined maximum limit · 200 · excluding cidre bouché, cydr jakościowy, perry jakościowe, cydr lodowy, perry lodowe

    Annex II rows, Part E, category 14.2.3; row: Group III (Colours with combined maximum limit) · fetched 2026-10-09

    European Commission / Publications Office (CELLAR): Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (consolidated 2026-08-18)(opens in a new tab)

See also

Related

  • Check a product

    Tell us if Food colours with combined maximum limit (Group III) is in your product and see what applies where you sell.

  • Markets and sources

    When our coverage starts in every market.

  • Upcoming changes

    Rule changes that start in the next 24 months.

Alerts

Get an email when these rules change.

Check a product free, no account needed. Save it, and you see when a rule that affects it changes, and Team emails you the day it does.

Check a productStart a workspace

Free for 10 products. Email alerts from $39 a month. See pricing