EU bans red dye in British sausages on cancer fear

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - British and Irish consumers may have to eat paler breakfast sausages and burgers after the European Union banned the use of a red food coloring, Red 2G, in the European Union due to concern it could cause cancer.

"This coloring is mainly used in sausages that are cooked for delicious English and Irish breakfasts," Michael Mann, a spokesman for the EU's executive Commission told a briefing on Friday.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found in a review of all authorized food additives that Red 2G posed some health risks, the Commission said.

"EFSA stated that there was a strong possibility that Red 2G could provoke cancer, as it tends to break down into a carcinogenic substance called aniline," it said.