The use of food dyes in meat is subject to regulations, due to food safety concerns. A reliable method for the determination of 12 food dyes (Amaranth, Ponceau 4R, Carmine, Ponceau SX, Ponceau 3R, Allura Red AC, Carmoisine, Erythrosine, Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III and Sudan IV) in meat products using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to UV-diode array detection was developed, optimized and fully validated. The extraction was accomplished using acetonitrile, methanol, water, ammonia, 50:40:9:1 (v/v/v/v) as the solvent, and an ultrasonic bath. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C RP column and samples eluted with a gradient acetate-acetonitrile mobile phase. Good analytical performance was obtained, in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy and ruggedness. Both method precision (CV% range: 6.2%-18.0%) and recovery (range: 86.4%-105.0%) complied with Decision 657/2002/EC, suggesting the procedure could be applied successfully for analyses of meat products in the European Union.