What is E140?

E140 (Chlorophylls) is a colours food additive. Natural green pigment from plants. E140 sits in the E100–E199 series, which in the EU classification mainly covers colours.

What is E140 used for?

E140 belongs to the colours group. Colours are added to give or restore colour to food. Some are natural, like curcumin from turmeric; some synthetic dyes are debated and require warning labels in the EU.

Is E140 safe?

E140 is considered safe at the levels used in food and is approved for use in the EU. “Safe” means it is approved in the EU and regarded as safe at the levels used in food.

How E140 appears on labels

On food packaging you'll find E140 either as the number “E140” or by the name “Chlorophylls” in the ingredient list, often after its function. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, so an additive near the end is present only in small amounts.

Is E140 vegan?

Yes, E140 is suitable for vegans.