Sensient Colours frequently participates at different industry events and we speak around food regulations in different parts of the world. Invariably there are often questions arising with someone wanting to know more about a particular food colour mentioned. They want to know the shade and pH range along with whether the colour is permitted in the United States, the European Union, or other regions across the globe. After numerous inquiries, we have developed the following ‘Colours from Around the World’ guide, which is sorted by colour shade. This list is a living guide, as the sources for natural colour are continuously expanding; however, these hues provide a snapshot of the major food colourants used today.
Colourant
INS#
pH
Pantone*
FD&C Red #40 (Allura Red)
129
2-8
1797
Amaranth*
123
2-8
7433
Black Carrot
163
3
1945
Carmine
120
3
7425
Carmoisine*
122
2-8
200
Cochineal Extract / Carminic Acid
120
7
225
Beet
162
4-7
674
Elderberry Juice
163
5
237
FD&C Red #3 (Erythrosine)
127
3-8
1915
Grape Juice
163
3
674
Grape Skin Extract
163ii
3
674
Hibiscus
163
2-4
7418
Lycopene (from tomato)
160dii
3-7
1795
Lycopene (synthetic)*
160di
3-7
1795
Monascus Colour*
––
5-8
7433
Ponceau 4R
124
2-8
199
Purple Sweet Potato
163
3
212
Red Cabbage
163
3
1935
Red Iron Oxide*
172II
2-8
7621
Red Radish
163
3
214
Red Rice*
––
2-4
7419
Colourant
INS#
pH
Pantone*
Annatto – Bixin
160bi
2-6
173
Annatto – Norbixin
160bii
3.5-8
173
Beta-Apo-8′-Carotenal
160e
2-8
1585
Beta-Carotene
160ai-iv
2.5-8
136
Canthaxanthin
161g
2-8
2028
Cochineal Extract
120
3
1635
Lutein*
161b
3-8
1385
Paprika Oleoresin
160c
2-8
166
Saffron
––
2-8
152
FD&C Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)
110
2-8
021
Beta-Carotene
160ai-iv
2.5-8
1375
Carrot Oil*
160a
2-8
136
Carthamus*
––
2-8
106
Gardenia Yellow*
––
3-8
460
Quinoline Yellow*
104
2-8
102
Riboflavin
101i
2-8
114
FD&C Yellow #5 (Tartrazine)
102
2-8
115
Turmeric/Curcumin
100
2.5-6.5
107
Yellow Iron Oxide*
172iii
2-8
129
Colourant
INS#
pH
Pantone*
Chlorophyll*
140i
2-8
7742
Copper Chlorophyll*
141i
2-8
7742
Green Tea*
––
3-8
5777
FD&C Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)
133
2-8
300
Gardenia Blue*
––
4-8
7690
Huito*
––
4-6
7694
FD&C Blue #2 (Indigotine)
132
2-8
285
Red Cabbage
163
7.5
7683
Spirulina
––
5-8
3005
Natural Blue Vegetable Juice Color
––
4-8
2935
Black Carrot
163
7
7678
Blue Carmine
120
7
7447
Purple Sweet Potato
163
4
2080
Black Iron Oxide*
172i
2-8
Black
Brilliant Black*
151
2-8
Black
Vegetable Carbon*
153
2-8
Black
Avalanche™ Opacity Agent
––
2-8
White
Calcium Carbonate*
170
2-8
White
Titanium Dioxide
171
2-8
White
Colourant
INS#
pH
Pantone*
Apple Extract
––
3-8
146
Caramel Color I
150a
2-8
1615
Caramel Color II
150b
2-8
1615
Caramel Color III
150c
2-8
1615
Caramel Color IV
150d
2-8
1615
Aluminum*
173
2-10
Silver
Gold*
175
2-10
Gold
Mica-Based Pearlescent Pigments
171 & 555
2-8
Various
Silver*
174
2-10
Silver
*Items are not generally permitted for food use in the U.S.
Technical information and proposed formulations, including any production procedures are believed to be correct. However this does not constitute a guarantee of the accuracy of the information contained herein and a confirming test in your own plant or laboratory is recommended. While we believe materials supplied by our firm are legal in country use, we do not warrant or guarantee their legality and highly recommend users confer with their local health authorities before using.
