Anthocyanins (E163) — What You Need to Know
The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.
What Is Anthocyanins?
Anthocyanins are a large group of naturally occurring water-soluble pigments responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors found in many fruits, vegetables, and flowers. They are extracted from sources such as grape skins, elderberries, blackcurrants, and red cabbage. Over 700 structurally distinct anthocyanins have been identified in nature.
What Is It Used For?
Used as a natural food coloring to impart red, purple, or blue shades to dairy products, beverages, confectionery, and preserves. Increasingly used to replace synthetic dyes in clean-label reformulations.
Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.
Regulatory & Editorial Context
One of the most abundant natural pigment groups, found in virtually all red, purple, and blue fruits and vegetables. Extensive research suggests anthocyanins have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. No safety concerns. Color is pH-dependent (red in acid, blue in alkaline, green in very alkaline), which can be a technical challenge. Heat and light sensitive. Increasingly used to replace synthetic dyes.
eNumbers.org currently assigns Anthocyanins an editorial context label of Safe with a score of 9/10. This is 3.2 points above the database average for colorings (5.8/10). Dataset reference year: 2013.
This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.
Commonly Found In
Always check the label for E163 or 'Anthocyanins'
▶Chemical Information
Frequently Asked Questions about Anthocyanins
Quick Facts
- E-Number
- E163
- INS Number
- 163
- Category
- Colorings
- Origin
- Natural
- FDA Status
- Approved (exempt from certification; grape skin extract and grape color extract GRAS)
- EFSA Status
- ADI not specified — considered safe, no numerical limit needed
- ADI
- Not specified mg/kg bw/day
- Dataset Review
- 2013
Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.
Related Additives
Other colorings in the same family