Natural colorants are a high-value item. Individual colorants can come into short supply because of crop failure or political trade issues. Limited availability and high demands lead to high price, which creates an environment in which the unscrupulous cannot resist the temptation to cheat. Adulteration of natural colorants with inexpensive synthetic colorants and other dyes has occurred in the past, and undoubtedly will occur in the future. There are cases in Europe in which chili powder, paprika, and carthamus have been adulterated with Sudan red (Rayner 2007). The problem is such that the European Commission requires products to have documentation confirming
the absence of Sudan dyes in foods (Di Anibal et al. 2011). Thus, in addition to price, quality specifications, and functionality, authenticity of colorants must be considered