E100–E199: food colours

🌐 English · Deutsch · Français · Español · Italiano · Polski · Nederlands

E100–E199 are food colours — additives used to add or restore colour in food. They include natural-source colours such as E100 (curcumin, from turmeric) and E160a (beta-carotene), and synthetic colours such as E102 (tartrazine).

Food colours make up the E100 range. Some are extracted from natural sources — plants, minerals or other foods — while others are made synthetically. Common examples include E100 (curcumin), E140 (chlorophyll), E150a (plain caramel), E160a (beta-carotene) and E162 (beetroot red).

Under EU labelling rules, six specific synthetic azo colours (including E102, E104, E110, E122, E124 and E129) must carry the statement “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children” — a mandatory EU labelling requirement set out in Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, not a ProductGuru assessment.

For the authorised uses of any colour, consult the EU food additives database. Their safety evaluations are carried out by EFSA.

FAQ

Are E100 colours natural or artificial?

Both. The E100 range includes natural-source colours such as E100 (curcumin) and E160a (beta-carotene) as well as synthetic ones such as E102 (tartrazine).

Why do some colours carry a warning about children?

EU law requires six specific azo colours to display a set statement about possible effects on children’s activity and attention. It is a labelling requirement under EU Regulation 1333/2008.

ProductGuru is an independent information service and provides no legal or safety guarantees; for official product data consult GS1 and the manufacturer. Free to cite with attribution.