Colours — Complete E-Number Guide
Colours are food additives (E100–E199) that give food its colour. Found in sweets, soft drinks, cake icing, jams, sauces and ready meals. Every additive below links to its full safety, vegan and halal breakdown.
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| E-Number | Name | Safety | Vegan | Halal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E100 | Curcumin | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E101 | Riboflavin | Safe | Uncertain | Halal |
| E102 | Tartrazine | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E104 | Quinoline Yellow | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E110 | Sunset Yellow FCF | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
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| E120 | Cochineal | Safe | No | Haram |
| E122 | Carmoisine | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E123 | Amaranth | Banned/restricted | Yes | Halal |
| E124 | Ponceau 4R | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E127 | Erythrosine | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E128 | Red 2G | Avoid | Yes | Halal |
| E129 | Allura Red AC | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E131 | Patent Blue V | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E132 | Indigotine | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
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| E133 | Brilliant Blue FCF | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E140 | Chlorophylls | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E141 | Copper Complexes of Chlorophyll | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E142 | Green S | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E151 | Brilliant Black BN | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E153 | Vegetable Carbon | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E155 | Brown HT | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E162 | Beetroot Red | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E163 | Anthocyanins | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E170 | Calcium Carbonate | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E171 | Titanium Dioxide | Banned/restricted | Yes | Halal |
| E172 | Iron Oxides and Hydroxides | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E173 | Aluminium | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E174 | Silver | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E175 | Gold | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E180 | Litholrubine BK | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E150a | Plain Caramel | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E150b | Caustic Sulphite Caramel | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E150c | Ammonia Caramel | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E150d | Sulphite Ammonia Caramel | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E160a | Beta-Carotene | Safe | Uncertain | Halal |
| E160b | Annatto | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E160c | Paprika Extract | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E160d | Lycopene | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E161b | Lutein | Safe | Uncertain | Halal |
| E161g | Canthaxanthin | Some concerns | Uncertain | Halal |
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Products for colours
Alternatives and resources related to colours
Best match
Natural Food Colouring
Plant-based and fruit-extract alternatives to synthetic colours.
Natural Food Dyes
Gel and powder colours from natural sources for baking.
Food Intolerance Test
Find out which additives are affecting you with a home test kit.
Data: Open Food Facts (ODbL) · EFSA