Group by artificial colours

All of the following colours are manmade and so are termed 'Artificial'.

If you want to know about food colours in general, take a look at our FAQs.

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.

Close

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.

Close

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’.

Close

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’.

Close

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’.

Close

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.

Close

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’.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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'.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

E151

Brilliant Black BN

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close

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.

Close