Malachite green in food
Malachite green is a dye that is both carcinogenic and genotoxic (i.e. damaging to DNA A complex chain-like molecule that carries the genetic material, present in living organisms and some viruses. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is capable of copying itself and carries the instructions for all the proteins used to create and sustain life). It has been used globally for therapeutic treatment in aquaculture, but is unauthorised for use in food-producing animals in the EU.
EFSA’s Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain assessed the risks to consumers from malachite green in food, particularly in fish, fish products and crustaceans. Specifically, the European Commission asked EFSA to evaluate whether a reference value of 2 micrograms (μg) of malachite green per kilogram of food would adequately protect public health. EFSA’s experts concluded that it is unlikely that exposure Concentration or amount of a particular substance that is taken in by an individual, population or ecosystem in a specific frequency over a certain amount of time to food contaminated with malachite green up to 2μg/kg would represent a health concern.
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