O FDA reconhece 9. Veja como eles o colocam no site oficial :
Certified colors are synthetically produced (or human-made) and used widely because they impart an intense, uniform color, are less expensive, and blend more easily to create a variety of hues. There are nine certified color additives approved for use in the United States... Certified food colors generally do not add undesirable flavors to foods.
Clicando mais fundo, o FDA revela os ingredientes que podem ser oficialmente chamados "coloração" nos rótulos dos alimentos.
FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red Nos. 3 and 40, FD&C Yellow Nos. 5 and 6, Orange B, Citrus Red No. 2, annatto extract, beta-carotene, grape skin extract,
cochineal extract or carmine* paprika oleoresin, caramel color, fruit and vegetable juices, saffron (Note: Exempt color additives are not required to be declared by name on labels but may be declared simply as colorings or color added)
Portanto, estes devem ser os 9 ingredientes reais que são "Cores Sintéticas Certificadas":
FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red Nos. 3 and 40, FD&C Yellow Nos. 5 and 6, Orange B, Citrus Red No. 2.
O resto:
annatto extract, beta-carotene, grape skin extract,
cochineal extract or carmine* paprika oleoresin, caramel color, fruit and vegetable juices, saffron
não são sintéticos, mas ainda podem ser chamados de "coloração" na lista de ingredientes. BTW, extrato de cochonilha e carmim são feitos de insetos em pó.
Definitivamente, cores artificiais como Red 40 estão no topo da lista de coisas "assustadoras porque não sabemos o que são". Eu acho que a marcação específica é estranha porque "Certified Synthetic Color" não é exatamente um termo familiar.
* EDIT 24 de março de 2017
A partir de 2009, o extrato de cochonilha e carmim estão fora da lista de "cores naturais":
Until 2009, cochineal was one of many dyes that fell under the umbrella term "natural color" on ingredients lists. But because cochineal provokes severe allergic reactions in some people, the Food and Drug Administration requires carmine and cochineal extract to be explicitly identified in ingredients lists.
Aside from its role as an allergen, cochineal has no known health risks, although those who keep kosher or choose not to eat animal products will want to keep their distance. In addition to food, cochineal is used as a dye in cosmetics products, including lipstick, and at least one person has reported a severe allergic reaction to a cochineal dye used in a pill coating.