Food Colouring
Food Colour Index
Food colours explained
Many people have concerns about the presence of food additives in general (including food colours) in their food. This resource provides information on those food colours that are currently considered safe and therefore permitted for use in food in the European Union. Like all such food additives, the colours have been given an ‘E’ number. For information about a specific E number, click on any of the buttons below. Artificial colours are signified by a dropper while natural colours are signified by a leaf. The colours are also highlighted by the actual shade of pigment which they impart in a food.
E100-E110
E120-E129
E131-E142
E150 a-d
E151-E155
E160 a-f
E161b-E163
E170-E174
E175-E180
E100
Curcumin
Source
A natural colour which comes from the Turmeric plant root.
Used in
Beverages, condiments, jams, jellies, marmalades, confectionery, dairy products, fish products, dietary supplements, processed meats and vegetables,
Description
E100 is used worldwide, particularly in South East Asian foods. Curcumin is not banned as a food additive anywhere. Curcumin is currently being investigated for its potential health benefits in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, allergies and arthritis.
E101
Riboflavins
Source
A natural colour which comes from yeast extract, liver and kidney, wheat bran, eggs, meat, milk and cheese.
Used in
Beverages, processed meats, condiments, breakfast cereals, dairy products, fruit products, energy drinks and dietary supplements.
Description
E101 is used worldwide and is not banned as a food additive anywhere. Riboflavin is also known as Vitamin B2, which is essential for our health. The recommended daily allowance of riboflavin is between 0.7 and 1.7 mg/day depending on age and gender.
E102
Tartrazine
Source
A kind of dye called an Azo dye that is produced from coal tar.
Used in
Confectionery, soft drinks, cereals, soups, sauces, preserves, processed peas, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Description
Some people may be intolerant to Tartrazine. One of the ‘Southampton Six’ colours; E102 was one of a mixture of colours that were associated with hyperactivity in children. Although previously banned in Norway, Austria and Germany, E102 has been deemed safe for use by the European Food Safety Authority which has recommended a safe level of consumption. The UK Food Standards Agency called for a voluntary phase-out of E102 by 2009. In the EU, food and drink products containing E102 must carry the label warning ‘may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children’.
E104
Quinoline Yellow
Source
A kind of dye called a quinophthalone dye that is produced from coal tar.
Used in
Jams, jellies, marmalades, soft drinks, confectionery and smoked haddock.
Description
Some people may be sensitive to Quinoline Yellow. One of the ‘Southampton Six’; Quinoline Yellow was one of a mixture of colours that were associated with hyperactivity in children. E104 is not a permitted food colour in the USA or Canada. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E104. The UK Food Standards Agency called for a voluntary phase-out of E104 by 2009. In the EU, food and drink products containing E104 must carry the label warning ‘may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children’.
E110
Sunset Yellow FCF
Source
A kind of dye called an Azo dye, that is produced from coal tar and petroleum.
Used in
Soft drinks, confectionery, jams, jellies, marmalades, soups, condiments, processed meats, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Description
Some people may be sensitive to Sunset Yellow. One of the ‘Southampton Six’ colours; Sunset Yellow was one of a mixture of colours that were associated with hyperactivity in children; E110 is not banned as a food additive anywhere. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E110. The UK Food Standards Agency called for a voluntary phase-out of E104 by 2009. In the EU, food and drink products containing E110 must carry the label warning ‘may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children’.
E120
Carmine
Source
A natural colour that comes from the body and eggs of an insect. It is more commonly known as "cochineal".
Used in
Cheeses, beverages, breakfast cereals, jams, jellies, marmalades, processed meats, fabric dye, insect repellent, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Description
Cochineal can trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals although Cochineal allergy is rare. Cochineal is not banned anywhere, although its consumption is prohibited by certain religions. The European Food Safety Authority is due to investigate the safety of E120 by the end of 2015. Safe consumption levels have already been recommended by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Peru is the biggest exporter of this food colour, but cochineal is also produced in Spain, Africa and Australia.
E122
Azorubin
Source
A kind of dye called an Azo dye that is produced from coal tar and petroleum.
Used in
Fabric dye, insect repellent, mouthwash, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Description
One of the ‘Southampton Six’ colours; Azorubin was one of a mixture of colours that were associated with hyperactivity in children; E122 is not a permitted food colour in the USA or Canada. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E122. The UK Food Standards Agency called for a voluntary phase-out of E122 by 2009. In the EU, food and drink products containing E122 must carry the warning label ‘may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children’.
E123
Amaranth
Source
A kind of dye called an Azo dye that is produced from petroleum by-products.
Used in
Beverages, alcoholic drinks and fish roe.
Description
E123 is not a permitted food colour in the USA, but the European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E123.
E124
Ponceau 4R
Source
A kind of dye called an Azo dye that is produced from coal tar and petroleum.
Used in
Beverages, jams, jellies, marmalades and processed meats.
Description
Some people may be sensitive to Ponceau 4R. One of the ‘Southampton Six’ colours; Ponceau 4R was one of a mixture of colours that were associated with hyperactivity in children. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E124. The UK Food Standards Agency called for a voluntary phase-out of E124 by 2009. In the EU, food and drink products containing E124 must carry the warning label 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'.
E127
Erythrosine
Source
A kind of dye called a fluorone dye, which contains iodine.
Used in
Used in the EU in cherries (candied, cocktail and Bigarreaux) only.
Description
E127 is permitted in the USA in food and ingested drugs. However, it is not permitted in cosmetics and external drugs. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended safe levels of consumption for E127.
E129
Allura red AC
Source
A kind of dye called an Azo dye that is produced from coal tar and petroleum.
Used in
Soft drinks and processed meats.
Description
Some people may be sensitive to Allura red AC. One of the ‘Southampton Six’ colours; Allura Red AC was one of a mixture of colours that were associated with hyperactivity in children. E129 is not banned as a food additive anywhere. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E129.
E131
Patent Blue V
Source
An artificial dye that is produced from coal tar.
Used in
Scotch eggs and jelly sweets. Also used for medical diagnostic purposes to colour lymph vessels.
Description
E131 is not a permitted food colour in USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The European Food Safety Authority is currently re-evaluating the safety of E131.
E132
Indigotine, Indigo Carmine
Source
An artificial dye that is produced from coal tar.
Used in
Ice-cream, sweets, baked goods, confectionery, and biscuits.
Description
E132 is a permitted food colour worldwide. The European Food Safety Authority is currently re-evaluating the safety of E132.
E133
Brilliant Blue FCF
Source
An artificial dye that is produced from petroleum.
Used in
Ice-cream, canned processed peas, packet soups, bottled food colourings, dairy products and sweets.
Description
E133 is a permitted food colour worldwide. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E133.
E140
Chlorophylls and chlorophyllins
Source
A natural colour which is present in all plants and algae. Chlorophylls used as a food additive are usually extracted from nettles, grass and alfalfa.
Used in
Pasta, absinthe, cheeses, preserved vegetables, jams, jellies and marmalades.
Description
E140 is not a listed food colour in the USA. The European Food Safety Authority will re-evaluate the safety of E131 by the end of 2015. Research into the antioxidant properties of chlorophyll is ongoing as these may prove beneficial in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
E141
Copper complexes of chlorophylls
Source
A natural colour which is produced from green, leafy vegetables.
Used in
Cheeses, ice-cream, soups, preserved vegetables and fruits.
Description
The European Food Safety Authority will re-evaluate the safety of E131 by the end of 2015. The antioxidant potential of E141 is being researched for use in cancer prevention. It is also used for the treatment of wounds, injuries and other skin conditions.
E142
Green S
Source
An artificial dye that is produced from coal tar.
Used in
Desserts, processed peas, gravy granules, ice-cream, mint sauce, sweets, cake mixes, jams, jellies and marmalades.
Description
E142 is not a permitted food colour in the USA and Canada. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended safe levels of consumption for E142.
E150a
Caramel (Plain)
Source
An artificial colour created through heat treatment of carbohydrates in the presence of acids, alkalis and salts. No ammonium or sulfite compounds can be used.
Used in
Bread, cakes, confectionery, preserved vegetables, fish and shellfish spreads, jams, jellies, marmalades, pickles, soft drinks, vinegar, alcoholic drinks, cheeses, breakfast cereals and processed meats.
Description
E150a is a permitted food colour worldwide. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E150a which is one of the oldest and most widely-used food colourings.
E150b
Caramel (Caustic sulphite)
Source
An artificial colour created through heat treatment of carbohydrates in the presence of sulfite compounds, but no ammonium compounds can be used.
Used in
Bread, cakes, confectionery, jams, jellies, marmalades, pickles, soft drinks, vinegar, alcoholic drinks, cheeses and breakfast cereals.
Description
E150b is a permitted food colour worldwide. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E150b, which is one of the oldest and most widely-used food colourings.
E150c
Caramel (Ammonia)
Source
An artificial colour created through heat treatment of carbohydrates in the presence of ammonium compounds, but no sulphite compounds can be used.
Used in
Soy sauce, confectionery, alcoholic drinks, cheese, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, preserved vegetables, jams, jellies, marmalades and processed meats.
Description
E150c is a permitted food colour worldwide. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E150c, which is one of the oldest and most widely-used food colourings.
E150d
Caramel (Sulphite ammonia)
Source
An artificial colour created through heat treatment of carbohydrates in the presence of both sulfite and ammonium compounds.
Used in
Breads, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, preserved vegetables, jams, jellies, marmalades and processed meats.
Description
E150d is a permitted food colour worldwide. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E150d which is one of the oldest and most widely-used food colourings.
E151
Brilliant Black BN
Assorted Cup Cakes
Slices of Cake in a line
Source
A kind of dye called an azo dye.
Used in
Sweets, desserts, mustard, jams, food decorations and coatings, soft drinks, fish paste and caviar.
Description
E151 is not a permitted food colour in the USA and Canada. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E151.
E153
Vegetable carbon
Source
A natural colour created by burning vegetable matter.
Used in
Cheeses, concentrated fruit juices, jams, jellies, marmalades, and liquorice.
Description
E153 is not a permitted food colour in the USA. The European Food Safety Authority has re-evaluated the safety of E153 and did not identify a cause for safety concern.
E155
Brown HT
Source
A kind of dye called an Azo dye that is produced from coal tar and petroleum.
Used in
Confectionery, cheeses, dairy products, jams, fruit products and fish.
Description
E155 is not a permitted food colour in the USA and Canada. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E155.
E160a
Mixed carotenes
Source
A natural colour found in carrots, green-leafed vegetables and tomatoes.
Used in
Butter and soft margarines, cheeses, breakfast cereals, jams, jellies, marmalades, processed meats, preserved vegetables, coffee sponge cakes and milk products.
Description
EFSA has evaluated the safety of E160a and concluded the consumption of this colour additive was not a concern provided the total intake did not exceed the normal background intake via the diet. E160a is used worldwide. E160a is converted to Vitamin A in the body. Carotenes are known to boost the immune system and are an important nutrient for good eye health.
E160b
Annatto
Source
A natural yellow, peach or red vegetable dye obtained from the seed coat of the fruit of the Achiote shrub.
Used in
Cheeses (e.g. Cheddar, Gloucester, Red Leicester, Gouda and Brie), margarine, butter, rice, custard powder, ice-cream, cream fillings & toppings, smoked fish, breakfast cereals, liqueurs.
Description
Some people may be allergic to Annatto. The European Food Safety Authority will re-evalaute the safety of E160b by the end of 2015. E160b is used worldwide.
E160c
Paprika extract
Source
A natural colour extracted from the fruit pod and seeds of the red pepper.
Used in
Cheese slices, breakfast cereals, jams, jellies, marmalades, chicken pies, orange juices, spice mixtures, sauces, sweets and processed meats.
Description
E160c is not a permitted food colour in Canada. The European Food Safety Authority is currently re-evaluating the safety of E160c.
E160d
Lycopene
Source
A natural colour found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, such as red carrots, watermelons and papayas, but not strawberries or cherries.
Used in
Tomato-based foods such as: soups, sauces, ketchup, jams, jellies and marmalades.
Description
E160d is not on the permitted food colours list in Canada. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E160d. Lycopene is thought to have antioxidant activity. A major claim for Lycopene's benefits is in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancers.
E160e
Beta-apo-8'-carotenal
Source
A natural colour made from carotene or isolated from plants.
Used in
Processed cheese.
Description
E160e is used worldwide. E160e is converted to Vitamin A in the body and can boost the immune system as well as being an important nutrient for eye health. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E160e.
E161b
Lutein
Source
A natural colour, present in many plants. It is made commercially from grass, nettles or marigolds.
Used in
E161b is added to chicken feed to ensure the yellow colour of egg yolks and chicken skin.
Description
E161b is not on the permitted list of food colours in the USA and Canada. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E161b. E161b an important nutrient for eye health and is thought to have antioxidant properties.
E161g
Canthaxanthin
Source
A natural colour found in a range of foods including mushrooms, crustaceans and fish. It is made commercially from beta-carotene.
Used in
Restricted to Saucisse de Strasbourg, animal feeding stuffs.
Description
E161g is not a permitted food colour in Australia and New Zealand. The European Food Safety Authority has recommended a safe level of consumption for E161g.
E162
Beetroot Red
Source
A natural colour produced from beets.
Used in
Bacon burgers, desserts, bacon burgers, desserts, ice-cream, jams, jellies, liquorice, oxtail soup, sauces and sweets.
Description
The European Food Safety Authority will re-evalaute the safety of E163 by the end of 2015. E162 is used worldwide.
E163
Anthocyanins
Source
A natural colour extracted from grape skins or red cabbage using water, methanol or ethanol.
Used in
Black cherry yoghurt, dairy products, glacé cherries, ice-cream, jellies, pickles, tomato, carrot or vegetable soups, soft drinks and sweets.
Description
The European Food Safety Authority will re-evaluate the safety of E163 by the end of 2015. E163 is used worldwide. E163 is a naturally occurring antioxidant and therefore it has health benefits.
E170
Calcium carbonates
Source
A natural colour found as chalk, limestone, marble, dolomite, eggshells, and the shells of many marine animals.
Used in
Biscuits, breads, cakes, ice-cream, sweets, vitamins and other tablets, canned fruit and vegetables, wine.
Description
E170 is not a permitted food colours in the USA or Canada, but is not deemed a safety risk by the European Food Safety Authority. E170 is a good source of calcium.
E171
Titanium dioxide
Source
A natural colour extracted from the mineral Ilmenite.
Used in
Tablets and capsules, cheeses (cottage and Mozzarella), horseradish cream and sauces, lemon curd, sweets, toothpaste.
Description
The European Food Safety Authority will re-evaluate the safety of E172 by the end of 2015. E171 is used worldwide.
E172
Iron oxides and hydroxides
Source
Naturally found in rusts, it is produced artificially from iron sulphate.
Used in
Cake and dessert mixes, meat paste, salmon and shrimp paste.
Description
The European Food Safety Authority will re-evaluate the safety of E172 by the end of 2015. E172 is used worldwide.
E173
Aluminium
Source
A natural colour smelted from Bauxite.
Used in
Decoration of cakes and pastries.
Description
E173 is not a permitted food colour in the USA. E173 can only be used for the external coating of sugar confectionery for the decoration of cakes and pastries.
E174
Silver
Source
A natural colour obtained from crushed ore containing silver.
Used in
Liquers. Also used to decorate cakes, pastries and chocolate.
Description
E174 is not on the list of permitted food colours in the USA. E174 can only be used for the external coating of sugar confectionery for the decoration of cakes and pastries. It can also be used in liquers. The European Food Safety Authority is currently re-evaluating the safety of E174.
E175
Gold
Source
A natural colour found in low concentrations in igneous rocks.
Used in
Liquers. Also used to decorate cakes, pastries and chocolate.
Description
E175 is not on the list of permitted food colours in the USA. The European Food Safety Authority is currently re-evaluating the safety of E175.
E180
Litholrubine BK
Source
A kind of dye called an Azo dye that is produced from coal tar and petroleum.
Used in
Cheese rind.
Description
E180 is not a permitted food colour in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. E180 can only be used to colour cheese rind. The European Food Safety Authority considers it unlikely that E180 is a safety concern for humans because of its limited use in edible cheese rinds.
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