Food Dye Chromatography - Student Laboratory Kit

Food dyes have been used extensively for more than 100 years. Would you eat maraschino cherries if they were their natural color of beige instead of red? Explore the properties of the seven Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) artificial food dyes with this chromatography activity. Students determine the composition of an unknown solution utilizing paper chromatography and the seven referenced FD&C food dyes to learn more about polarity, food chemistry, and chromatography. Includes reproducible student handouts, detailed background information, complete Teacher Notes with sample data and answers to all questions, and all necessary chemicals and consumable supplies.