Effect of Food Colorants and Additives on the Hematological and Histological Characteristics of Albino Rats

Objective Food colorants (synthetic, inorganic and natural) represent one of the major categories of food additives. Synthetic colorants were banned due to their adverse effects on animals and human. However, synthetic dyes are still in use because they are cheap, and stable. Methods In the present in vivo study conducted on female albino rats ( Rattus norvegicus ), the effect of sunset yellow (SY) and sodium benzoate (NaB) combinations on the hematological and histological profile was assessed. Different combinations of SY plus NaB were dissolved in water and administered daily to experimental rat groups for 12 weeks. Group 1 (control) received only water, group 2 received 5 mg SY plus 10 mg NaB, group 3 received 5 mg SY plus 100 mg NaB, group 4 received 50 mg SY plus 100 mg NaB, group 5 received 50 mg SY plus 10 mg NaB, group 6 received 200 mg SY plus 750 mg NaB, and group 7 received 20 mg SY plus 75 mg NaB. Histopathological examinations were performed on liver and kidney of rats at the end of the experiment. Results The results revealed a decrease in RBCs count, hematocrit, WBCs, MCV and Hb levels upon the administration of SY plus NaB. The results also showed no increase in MCH, MCHC and platelet count. Liver and kidney tissues showed some lesions due to the administration of the tested compounds in comparison to the control animals. Conclusion The chemical stress caused by the SY and NaB combinations caused some degenerative changes in the liver and kidneys of rats. It could be concluded that SY and NaB combinations causes some damage in liver and kidney tissues of experimental animals. Therefore, using SY and NaB combinations should be limited.