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Food additive · Color

Vegetable carbon

E-number
E153

A black color made from charred plant material; allowed in the EU but not listed as a food color in the US.

  • Food additive
  • Color (added)
  • Color from natural sources
  • Expert review pending
Low concern Level 1 of 4 How concern levels work

A minor or very limited concern, such as being an ultra-processing marker only. The concern level sets how many points vegetable carbon costs on a product’s receipt.

What the evidence says

  • Not permitted in food somewhereRegulatory

    Not listed by the FDA as a color additive for food in the US. [1]

Evidence tiers say how sure the evidence is, separately from how much it matters. About evidence tiers.

Rules around the world

WhereStatusDetailsDateSource
United States Not permitted Not listed as a color additive for food. — [1]
European Union Permitted Permitted (E 153). — [2]

“Banned” means explicitly prohibited or withdrawn after review; “not permitted” means never authorized there. We use each regulator’s own words.

Diets and allergens

Vegan
Yes
Vegetarian
Yes
Gluten-free
Yes

For the ingredient in general. Always check the package: a product’s own labels win.

Names GoodSwap recognizes on labels (8)
  • e153
  • carbon black
  • charcoal powder
  • activated carbon
  • vegetable carbon
  • activated charcoal
  • vegetable charcoal
  • colour vegetable carbon

Sources

  1. Summary of Color Additives for Use in the United States in Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Regulator

    fda.gov

  2. Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 of 11 November 2011 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 by establishing a Union list of food additives

    European Union (Official Journal) · Nov 11, 2011 · Law

    “E 127 Erythrosine 200 only cocktail cherries and candied cherries”

    eur-lex.europa.eu