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E141 – Copper Complexes of Chlorophyll

E141 is an approved food colorant based on copper complexes of chlorophyll. It gives foods a stable green color and is considered safe when used as directed within regulatory limits.

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Things worth knowing about "E141"

E141 is an approved food colorant based on copper complexes of chlorophyll. It gives foods a stable green color and is considered safe when used as directed within regulatory limits.

What is E141?

E141 refers to copper complexes of chlorophylls and copper complexes of chlorophyllins – green colorants used in the food industry. They are derived from the natural plant pigment chlorophyll, in which the central magnesium atom is replaced by a copper ion. This substitution produces a particularly color-stable, vivid green compound that is more resistant to light and heat than natural chlorophyll.

Origin and Production

Chlorophyll occurs naturally in all green plants and is responsible for photosynthesis. For food production, chlorophyll is first extracted from plant material such as nettles, spinach, or grass. The magnesium atom is then chemically replaced by copper, resulting in a significantly more stable green pigment that maintains its color far better during food processing than unmodified chlorophyll (E140).

E141 includes two sub-forms:

E141(i): Copper complexes of chlorophylls – fat-soluble compounds
E141(ii): Copper complexes of chlorophyllins – water-soluble compounds

Use in Food Products

E141 is used to give foods an appealing green color or to restore color lost during processing. Typical applications include:

Canned and frozen vegetables
Herbal liqueurs and flavored beverages
Ice cream and desserts
Sauces, soups, and condiments
Chewing gum and confectionery
Dietary supplements

Authorization and Regulation

E141 is approved in the European Union under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed E141 and concluded that it is safe for use within established maximum permitted levels. Its use is restricted to specific food categories, and the amounts permitted are subject to legal limits.

Safety and Health Assessment

When used as intended, E141 is considered safe. The copper content contributed by E141 in foods is generally low and does not exceed the tolerable daily intake for copper under normal dietary conditions. Copper is also an essential trace element required by the human body in small amounts.

However, excessive intake of copper-containing compounds may in principle lead to:

Nausea and gastrointestinal irritation at very high doses
In extreme cases, liver damage due to copper accumulation (from chronic overexposure)

For the vast majority of the population, E141 poses no health risk within a normal diet. Individuals with Wilson disease – a rare genetic disorder causing pathological copper accumulation in the body – should avoid copper-containing additives and consult a physician.

Labeling

Foods containing E141 must declare this additive in the list of ingredients, either as E141 or under the name copper complexes of chlorophylls or copper complexes of chlorophyllins. No warning label (as required for certain other colorants) is mandated for E141.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of copper complexes of chlorophylls (E 141) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2015.
European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union, 2008.
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA): Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. WHO Technical Report Series, Geneva.

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