E100-E199: Colors
70 E-numbers in this range
The E100-E199 range covers all food colorings approved for use in the EU. This category includes both natural pigments (from plants, minerals, and insects) and synthetic dyes created in laboratories. Food colors are among the most controversial additive categories — several synthetic dyes in this range are banned in various countries or require warning labels in the EU due to potential effects on children's behavior.
E100 Curcumin safe E101 Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) safe E102 Tartrazine avoid E103 Alkannin avoid E104 Quinoline Yellow avoid E105 Fast Yellow AB avoid E107 Yellow 2G avoid E110 Sunset Yellow FCF avoid E111 Orange GGN avoid E120 Cochineal / Carminic Acid unknown E121 Citrus Red 2 avoid E122 Azorubine / Carmoisine avoid E123 Amaranth avoid E124 Ponceau 4R avoid E125 Scarlet GN (Ponceau SX) avoid E126 Ponceau 6R avoid E127 Erythrosine avoid E128 Red 2G avoid E129 Allura Red AC avoid E130 Indanthrene Blue RS avoid E131 Patent Blue V caution E132 Indigotine / Indigo Carmine safe E133 Brilliant Blue FCF safe E140 Chlorophylls safe E141 Copper Complexes of Chlorophylls safe E142 Green S unknown E143 Fast Green FCF unknown E143a Fast Green FCF (US numbering) unknown E150 Caramel Color (generic) unknown E150a Plain Caramel safe E150b Caustic Sulphite Caramel safe E150c Ammonia Caramel caution E150d Sulphite Ammonia Caramel caution E151 Brilliant Black BN avoid E153 Vegetable Carbon safe E154 Brown FK unknown E155 Brown HT avoid E160a Carotenes safe E160b Annatto / Bixin / Norbixin safe E160c Paprika Extract / Capsanthin safe E160d Lycopene safe E160e Beta-apo-8'-carotenal caution E160f Ethyl Ester of Beta-apo-8'-carotenoic Acid unknown E161 Xanthophylls (generic) unknown E161a Flavoxanthin unknown E161b Lutein unknown E161c Cryptoxanthin unknown E161d Rubixanthin unknown E161e Violaxanthin unknown E161f Rhodoxanthin unknown E161g Canthaxanthin caution E161h Zeaxanthin unknown E161i Citranaxanthin unknown E161j Astaxanthin unknown E162 Beetroot Red / Betanin safe E163 Anthocyanins safe E164 Saffron unknown E165 Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex (potassium salt) unknown E166 Sandalwood unknown E170 Calcium Carbonate safe E171 Titanium Dioxide avoid E172 Iron Oxides and Hydroxides safe E173 Aluminium caution E174 Silver caution E175 Gold caution E176 Castor Sugar Brown (mixed caramel) unknown E177 Calcium Carbonate (surface coloring) unknown E180 Litholrubine BK caution E181 Tannic Acid unknown E182 Orcein avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
What are E100-E199 food colorings?
E100-E199 is the European numbering range assigned to food colorings (also called food dyes or color additives). This range includes both natural colorants like curcumin (E100), beetroot red (E162), and carotenes (E160a), as well as synthetic dyes like tartrazine (E102), sunset yellow (E110), and allura red (E129). Each E-number identifies a specific coloring agent approved for use in the European Union.
Are synthetic food colors safe?
Synthetic food colors are among the most debated food additives. While regulatory agencies like the FDA and EFSA consider them safe at approved levels, some synthetic dyes (particularly the 'Southampton Six' — E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129) have been linked to hyperactivity in children. The EU requires warning labels on products containing these dyes. Several synthetic colors in this range are banned in various countries.
What is the difference between natural and artificial food coloring?
Natural food colorings are derived from plants, animals, or minerals — examples include curcumin from turmeric (E100), carmine from cochineal insects (E120), and chlorophyll from green plants (E140). Artificial food colorings are chemically synthesized — examples include tartrazine (E102), brilliant blue (E133), and allura red (E129). Natural colorings generally have better safety profiles but may be more expensive and less stable than synthetic alternatives.