Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A21: Tolerance limits for residues of or contamination by certain (non-microbiological) substances 

Date when the measure came into force

01 January 2000 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Notice 173 of 1999 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Food Regulations 1999 

Country/Region applying the measure

Mauritius 

The rationale of the measure

No specific objective stated 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

(2) A permitted colouring substance shall comply with the purity criteria specified in paragraphs (3), (4) and (5).
(3)(a) A pemiitted colouring substance shall not contain inorganic impurities more than -
(i) 1 p.p.m of arsenic;
(ii) 10 p.p.m of lead; and
(iii)100 p.p.m of each of the following –
(A) antimony;
(B) copper;
(C) chromium;
(D) zinc; or
(E) barium sulphate.
(b) Where a permitted colouring substance contains a combination of the inorganic impurities mentioned in paragraph (3) (a) (iii), the combination of those subtances shall not exceed 200 p.p.m.
(4)(a) A permitted synthetic colouring substance shall not contain organic impurities more than -
(i) 0.01 percent of free aromatic amines;
(ii) 0.5 percent of synthetic intermediates other than free aromatic amines;
(iii) 4 percent of subsidiary colouring substance including isomers of homologues; or
(iv) 0.2 percent matter insoluble in water;
(b) Where the permitted synthetic colouring substance is Patent blue V, it shall comply with the same purity standards as prescribed in paragraph
(4) (a) (i), (ii) and (iii) but may contain matter insoluble in water not exceeding 0.5 percent.
(5) A sulphonated organic permitted colouring substance shall not contain more than
0.2 percent of any substance extractable by diethyl ether. 

Reference of the measure

Sub-article 90(2) 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Food colouring substance 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

Entire world