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E140 Chlorophylls – Natural Food Colorant

E140 is a natural green food colorant derived from chlorophyll. It is used in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements to provide or restore a green color.

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Things worth knowing about "E140"

E140 is a natural green food colorant derived from chlorophyll. It is used in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements to provide or restore a green color.

What is E140?

E140 is the official EU designation for chlorophylls used as food colorants. Chlorophylls are naturally occurring green pigments found in all green plants, where they play a central role in photosynthesis. As a food additive, they are used to give foods, beverages, and dietary supplements a green color, or to restore color that has faded during processing.

Origin and Production

E140 is extracted from plant-based raw materials such as nettles, spinach, grass, or other green plant parts. Extraction is carried out using solvents such as acetone, ethanol, or methyl ethyl ketone, followed by purification and drying steps. The result is a fat-soluble, dark green to olive-colored powder or paste.

Variants of E140

E140(i) – Chlorophylls: Pure chlorophyll extracts as they naturally occur in plants.
E140(ii) – Chlorophyllins: Saponification products of chlorophylls that are more water-soluble and show somewhat greater color stability.

Use in Food Products

E140 is used in a wide variety of foods and beverages. Typical applications include:

Jams and jellies
Confectionery and sweets
Chewing gum
Beverages and soft drinks
Yogurt and desserts
Dietary supplements in capsule or tablet form
Cosmetics and soaps (outside the food sector)

Safety and Regulatory Status

E140 is approved in the European Union under Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 on food additives. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated chlorophylls as safe for consumption when used within the established maximum limits. No acceptable daily intake (ADI) value has been set, as no safety concerns have been identified.

Possible Intolerances

E140 is generally considered well-tolerated and is one of the few food colorants not linked to hyperactive behavior in children. In very rare cases, mildly sensitive individuals may experience slight gastrointestinal discomfort. Allergic reactions to E140 are extremely uncommon.

Difference from E141

While E140 refers to natural chlorophylls, E141 designates copper complexes of chlorophylls. In E141, the central magnesium atom in the chlorophyll molecule is replaced by copper, resulting in a more stable and more intense green color. E140, by contrast, tends to convert into an olive-brown compound called pheophytin when exposed to heat or acids, making it less color-stable than E141.

Labeling Requirements

Foods containing E140 must declare this additive in the ingredient list, either as E140 or as chlorophylls. As it is a natural colorant, no special warning label is required.

References

European Commission – Food Additives: Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
EFSA – European Food Safety Authority: Re-evaluation of chlorophylls (E 140) as food additives. EFSA Journal (2015).
Downham, A. & Collins, P. – Colouring our foods in the last and next millennium. International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 35(1), 5–22 (2000).

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