What is E141?

E141 (Copper complexes of chlorophylls) is a colours food additive. Natural green colourant derived from chlorophyll. E141 sits in the E100–E199 series, which in the EU classification mainly covers colours.

What is E141 used for?

E141 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 E141 safe?

E141 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 E141 appears on labels

On food packaging you'll find E141 either as the number “E141” or by the name “Copper complexes of 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 E141 vegan?

Yes, E141 is suitable for vegans.