Scotland’s other national drink — Irn Brun — will not have to have to be reformulate after an EU committee set a new maximum level for the food colour Sunset Yellow (E110).
The future of the iconic drink, which outsells Coca Cola in Scotland, had been under threat from a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommendation that the current maximum permitted level of E110 of 50mg per litre should be cut to 10mg
But last week Europe’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health voted to reduce the level to 20mg — the same amount used in Irn Bru.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) argues that exposure to the additive could be too high, particularly among UK children.
The Irn Bru-saving resolution comes after Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, wrote to the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli warning of the “negative impact” of setting a 10mg limit.
Salmond said: “Thank goodness this problem has been Irn-ed out. It is a victory for our other national drink — I’m delighted that common sense has prevailed, and that Europe’s decision protects this iconic Scottish brand.
“I congratulate all involved in securing this positive outcome — folk at home and abroad who love their Irn Bru will be toasting this success with a glass of the stuff made from girders.”
