Terms such as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and nature-identical do not apply to color additives. Regulations on colorant use can vary markedly from country to country. Many countries have adopted the approved applications and usage levels posted by the Codex Alimentarius ( Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission 2008) and color additive specifications published by the Joint FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization)/WHO (World Health Organization) Expert Committee on Food Additives ( JECFA)
(2011). Other countries regulate independently the use of color additives. Examples include the
United States (Code of Federal Regulations 2011), Korea (Korea Food and Drug Administration
2004), and Japan ( Japan Food Chemical Research Foundation 2006).