Vegetable Carbon
The short version
Activated charcoal of vegetable origin — a clean-label deep black colorant.
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
No ADI has been set. EFSA (2012) found the toxicological data too limited to establish one, and earlier JECFA and SCF evaluations set none either. EFSA concluded that vegetable carbon containing less than 1.0 µg/kg of residual carcinogenic PAHs (as benzo[a]pyrene) is not of safety concern at reported use levels. Inert and not absorbed. Food-grade material must meet strict purity criteria for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The medicinal form is used as an antidote for oral poisoning; however, food-colorant doses can still adsorb some co-administered medications (interaction theoretical at typical food levels).
Sources
- EFSA: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of vegetable carbon (E 153) as a food additive, EFSA Journal 2012;10(4):2592 — European Food Safety Authority, 2012. No ADI set; not of safety concern at reported use levels if PAH limit met; essentially not absorbed
- EFSA: Scientific opinion on the amendment of the specifications for vegetable carbon (E 153) as a food additive, EFSA Journal 2026;24(1):e9855 — European Food Safety Authority, 2026. PAH purity criteria; EFSA recommends tighter benzo[a]pyrene limit and a PAH4 limit
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, consolidated text of 18 August 2026 (Annex II, Group II) — European Union (EUR-Lex), 2026. Permitted in the EU (quantum satis colour group)
- FDA: Regulatory Status of Color Additives (charcoal) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Not a permitted food color additive in the US
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.