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E162ColorantLow concern
Beetroot Red
In plain words
The short version
The natural deep-red pigment of beetroot (betanin) — a vegan alternative to carmine.
Why it's green
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
ADI not specified. Considered safe. Some individuals genetically excrete the pigment in urine (beeturia), giving a harmless pink color — this also occurs with raw beetroot consumption.
The detail
Extracted from red beetroot (Beta vulgaris) by pressing, filtering, and spray-drying the juice or by concentrating with ion-exchange. Betanin is the dominant betalain pigment responsible for the color.
Used in yogurts, ice cream, fruit fillings, candies, and powdered mixes where a natural pink-to-red tone is wanted. The dominant vegan alternative to carmine (E120) in clean-label reformulations.
Bright red-violet powder, soluble in water. Sensitive to heat, light, and oxygen — limits use to refrigerated and non-thermally-processed products. Color shifts toward yellow above pH 7.
Permitted globally without restrictive limits for food use.
Sources
- JECFA database — Beet red (INS 162), evaluation 1987 (31st meeting) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1987. Safety: ADI not specified
- EFSA ANS Panel — Safety of the proposed extension of use of beetroot red (E 162) in foods for special medical purposes in young children (2016), EFSA Journal 14(5):4487 (summarises the 2015 re-evaluation) — European Food Safety Authority, 2016. Safety: EFSA 2015 re-evaluation found no ADI could be set but no safety concern at reported use; EU Group II quantum satis
- 21 CFR 73.40 — Dehydrated beets (beet powder), CFR 2025 edition — U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo) / FDA, 2025. US regulatory status as a color additive under GMP
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.