Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) (E101) — What You Need to Know
What Is Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)?
Riboflavin is vitamin B2, an essential water-soluble nutrient that also serves as a yellow food coloring. It is produced commercially via fermentation using the fungus Ashbya gossypii, yielding a molecule identical to naturally occurring riboflavin. Excess riboflavin is readily excreted in urine, giving it a characteristic bright yellow color.
What Is It Used For?
Used as both a food coloring and a nutritional fortification agent in cereals, baby food, dairy products, and energy drinks. Its dual function as a vitamin and colorant makes it one of the most benign food additives.
Safety Assessment
Riboflavin is essentially vitamin B2, an essential nutrient required for normal cellular function, growth, and energy metabolism. No safety concerns exist at any realistic dietary intake level. Excess riboflavin is efficiently excreted via the kidneys, which is why it causes bright yellow urine at higher doses. Both natural extraction and biosynthesis via fermentation using Ashbya gossypii are used in commercial production. EFSA considers it so safe that no numerical ADI was deemed necessary.
Based on current evidence, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is rated Safe with a score of 10/10. This is 4.2 points above the average for colorings (5.8/10). Last reviewed by regulators: 2013.
Commonly Found In
Always check the label for E101 or 'Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)'
▶Chemical Information
Frequently Asked Questions about Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Quick Facts
- E-Number
- E101
- INS Number
- 101
- Category
- Colorings
- Origin
- Nature-Identical
- FDA Status
- GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)
- EFSA Status
- Authorized (ADI not specified — no safety concern)
- ADI
- Not specified mg/kg bw/day
- Last Review
- 2013
Related Additives
Other colorings in the same family