International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Biological Sciences 2278 - 3202 6 10 2017 10 10 Effect of natural and synthetic dyes on human health 23 29 EN Zaw Ko Latt 1 Biotechnology Research Department, Ministry of Education, Myanmar Win Zaw Oo 2 Biotechnology Research Department, Ministry of Education, Myanmar SanSan Yu 3 Biotechnology Research Department, Ministry of Education, Myanmar Ei Phyu Kyaw 4 Biotechnology Research Department, Ministry of Education, Myanmar Tin Mar Lynn 5 Biotechnology Research Department, Ministry of Education, Myanmar Muhammedali V.C. 1 Department of Biotechnology, SAS SNDP Yogam College Konni, Pathanamthitta, Kerala 689 691, India Akhilesh V.P. 2 Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Kerala 673 635, India Sebastian C.D. 3 Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calicut, Kerala 673 635, India Rijuraj M.P. 1 Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management- Kerala (IIITM-K) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Joseph M.D. 2 Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management- Kerala (IIITM-K) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Sugathan R. 3 Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala Forest Department (KFD), Thattekad, Kerala, India Naseem Zahra 1 Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan and College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore Imran Kalim 2 Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan Muhammad Khalid Saeed 3 Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan Zilwa Mumtaz 4 Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of the Punjab, Lahore Naima Amjad 5 Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of the Punjab, Lahore Alim-un Nisa 6 Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan Sajila Hina 7 Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan Shahid Masood 8 Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan Ijaz Ahmed 9 Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan Muhammad Ashraf 10 Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan > Review Paper 2017 8 21 2017 10 10 Food dyes are added to enhance the quality perception of the food. Dyes are of two categories natural dyes and artificial dyes. Natural dyes are extracted from the plants or animal source. So they are quite expensive and not available in large quantity. Artificial dyes are petroleum based products and constitutes aromatic rings. Dyes are extensively used in food items like candies, bakery, confectionery, drinks, rice, cooked as well as processed foods. Despite of its extensive use the ill-health situations caused by over-dosed use of dyes must not be underlooked. Multiple disorders are related to the toxicity of the artificial dyes. Dyes are potentially mutagenic either directly or indirectly. Copyright@ International Science Community Association