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Vegetable Carbon (E153) — What You Need to Know

Generally Safe(8/10)Natural

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 Vegetable Carbon?

Vegetable Carbon is a natural black colorant produced by carbonizing plant materials such as wood, coconut shells, or peat at high temperatures. It is essentially very pure amorphous carbon. It gained widespread popularity in trendy 'black foods' such as black ice cream, black burgers, and charcoal lattes.

What Is It Used For?

Provides intense black coloring to confectionery, ice cream, pasta, and decorative food products. Popular in artisan and trendy food products in the EU.

Function: Black natural food coloring derived from carbonized plant material

Regulatory & Editorial Context

📊
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Not specified mg/kg bw/day
🏛️
Regulatory Status
🇺🇸 USA (FDA): Not approved as food color additive (activated charcoal used in supplements)
🇪🇺 EU (EFSA): Authorized; ADI not specified (considered safe, no numerical limit needed)
⚠️ Key Concerns

Natural carbonized plant material, essentially very pure carbon. EFSA evaluated and found no safety concerns — set no ADI (considered safe). Not approved by FDA as a color additive for food, though activated charcoal is used in supplements and beverages. Gained popularity in trendy 'black foods' (ice cream, burgers, lattes). May interfere with absorption of medications if consumed in large amounts due to the activated charcoal effect.

Editorial context score

eNumbers.org currently assigns Vegetable Carbon an editorial context label of Generally Safe with a score of 8/10. This is 2.2 points above the database average for colorings (5.8/10). Dataset reference year: 2012.

This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.

Commonly Found In

Black ice creamBlack pastaConfectioneryCheese rind coatingsDecorative food (EU)
Example brands:
Various artisan food brandsEU confectionery manufacturers

Always check the label for E153 or 'Vegetable Carbon'

▶Chemical Information
Formula: C
Molecular Weight: 12.01 g/mol
CAS Number: 7440-44-0
INS Number: 153
Also known as: E153, Charcoal Black, Carbon Black (food grade), Carbo Medicinalis, INS 153

Frequently Asked Questions about Vegetable Carbon

Current dataset status: FDA — Not approved as food color additive (activated charcoal used in supplements); EFSA/EU — Authorized; ADI not specified (considered safe, no numerical limit needed). Reported concerns: Natural carbonized plant material, essentially very pure carbon. EFSA evaluated and found no safety concerns — set no ADI (considered safe). Not approved by FDA as a color additive for food, though activated charcoal is used in supplements and beverages. Gained popularity in trendy 'black foods' (ice cream, burgers, lattes). May interfere with absorption of medications if consumed in large amounts due to the activated charcoal effect. Regulatory status and individual risk are not the same; check the primary sources and permitted conditions of use.

Quick Facts

E-Number
E153
INS Number
153
Category
Colorings
Origin
Natural
FDA Status
Not approved as food color additive (activated charcoal used in supplements)
EFSA Status
Authorized; ADI not specified (considered safe, no numerical limit needed)
ADI
Not specified mg/kg bw/day
Dataset Review
2012
Ingredient-level Dietary Notes
Vegan: ✅ YesHalal: ✅ YesKosher: ✅ YesGluten-Free: ✅ Yes

Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.

Quick Links

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for health-related decisions.

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