E141 / Colours
Copper complexes of chlorophylls, copper complexes of chlorophyllins
Safety in brief
Safe
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- No allergen or sensitivity is recorded for this ingredient here. Check the whole product label; this is not an allergen-free guarantee.
- Our advice
- Read the whole food label and consider how often you eat the product. A name or E number does not tell you the amount, and an ingredient rating cannot assess the entire food.
What it is
Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins are natural green colourants made by binding copper ions to chlorophyll extracted from plants, which improves the pigment's stability and color intensity compared to plain chlorophyll. They are used in candy, ice cream, and processed snacks and are approved as safe food colourants by EFSA and the FDA within regulatory limits.
Also appears on labels as: Copper complexes of chlorophylls, Copper complexes of chlorophyllins, Copper chlorophylls, Copper chlorophyllins, Copper chlorophyll complex, Copper chlorophyllin complex, Sodium copper chlorophyllin, Sodium copper chlorophyllins, Chlorophyll copper complex, Chlorophyllin copper complex, E141, E 141.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- None recorded
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
Health notes from our ingredient record
- Generally recognized as safe at typical food levels.
- Adds a small amount of copper; not considered a health concern at approved food-colouring levels.
Other references from our ingredient record
These links come from the original ingredient record. They are separate from the source reviews above and have not all been checked for the exact ingredient, amount consumed or claim. Dates are shown newest first.
- Chlorophylls (E140) Safety Synopsis — Maria Manuela Silva; Fernando Henrique Reboredo; Fernando Cebola Lidon, Foods (2022). 2022 review: natural dietary pigments; largely excreted; consumption as additives poses no safety concern at reported uses.[safe]
Country rules
Country checks for E141
Permission depends on the market, type of food, amount and conditions. A scientific opinion or an E-number alone does not establish a legal use. These checks are separate from the stored EatMatrix rating.
Compare all eight markets and their sources
| Market | What is checked |
|---|---|
| European Union | Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, Annex II Part B, version , contains the exact code E141: Copper complexes of chlorophylls, chlorophyllins. Listing alone does not allow every food use. Part E food categories, limits, specifications and applicable later acts still need a product-specific check. Source read: . |
| Great Britain | The FSA register record for E141 (Copper complexes of chlorophylls, chlorophyllins) lists “Authorised” in England, Scotland and Wales. Register updated: 01 April 2025; record checked: . Food-specific conditions and specifications still need a separate legal check. |
| United States | Complete current-use review pending. Any scoped provision in the label guide above applies only to the stated use. FDA explains the applicable food-additive and GRAS framework. |
| Northern Ireland | Review pending. Check the applicable EU rules and territory arrangements; the GB register alone does not establish this status. FSA guidance is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Canada | Named preparation located; broader identity needs matching Only the named copper chlorophyllin salts below were located. Copper complexes of chlorophyll and other chlorophyllin preparations do not automatically share these permissions. EatMatrix reading: Match the named preparation, specifications, food, purpose and every limit below before using these rows for a product decision. Name and category review: . This describes the legal source check, not a finding that the ingredient is safe, unsafe or untested. Sources and names checkedNames checked: Copper complexes of chlorophylls, copper complexes of chlorophyllins; Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin; Sodium Potassium Copper Chlorophyllin. All 15 Health Canada permitted-additive lists were checked by exact name, with the reviewed alternatives above. E-numbers alone are not Canadian ingredient names. The Justice Canada consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026. A complete product decision also requires its composition, specifications, intended food and use, quantities, applicable separate provisions and any later changes. Named food-use records located. Health Canada lists the preparations below for specified foods and purposes. This is conditional permission for those uses, not approval of every product or a personal safety verdict. Only the named copper chlorophyllin salts below were located. Copper complexes of chlorophyll and other chlorophyllin preparations do not automatically share these permissions. Source tables captured . List publication dates are shown separately. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a condition of use, not an unlimited amount or a recommended intake. Food and Drug Regulations B.16.003 requires the listed source, purpose, amount and other conditions to match. The official consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026; product specifications and applicable later changes still need checking. Read 4 listed food-use conditionsSodium Copper ChlorophyllinHealth Canada: List of Permitted Food Colours. List published ; item S.4.
Sodium Potassium Copper ChlorophyllinHealth Canada: List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Purposes of Use. List published ; item S.19.
EatMatrix reading: match the exact preparation and food first. A manufacturing limit is not an acceptable daily intake (ADI). A label without the amount cannot establish exposure, and an unlisted name here does not establish a ban. |
| Australia | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| New Zealand | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Japan | Review pending. The relevant list, identity and use standards need an additive-specific check. CAA food-additive lists is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
Sources & review status
Check what each source covers: an authority’s conclusion, a research finding and a country’s legal permission answer different questions.
What this guide covers
- Original ingredient record
- 1 research link; newest recorded date: . Sources added separately to this guide are not included in this count.
This guide brings together our ingredient record and the dated sources shown here. Missing information describes a gap in this guide; it does not mean an ingredient is untested, safe or harmful. This is not a complete review of every study, preparation or current country rule. The amount in a product and how it is used still matter.
How to read the ratings, research and country checksAgency labels recorded by EatMatrix
These are imported database classifications, not verified current statements from each authority. Use the dated official sources below for their actual scope and conclusions.
| Authority | Database label |
|---|---|
| FDA | Safe |
| WHO | Safe |
| EFSA | Safe |
| FSANZ | Safe |
| Japan | Safe |
| UK FSA | Safe |
| Health Canada | Safe |
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E141?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E141 (Copper complexes of chlorophylls, copper complexes of chlorophyllins) is “Safe”. It is calculated from labels stored in our ingredient database. These labels are not verified current regulator decisions or country permissions. A database update date is not a scientific review date.
Is E141 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Copper complexes of chlorophylls, copper complexes of chlorophyllins — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E141 and why is it used?
Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins are natural green colourants made by binding copper ions to chlorophyll extracted from plants, which improves the pigment's stability and color intensity compared to plain chlorophyll. They are used in candy, ice cream, and processed snacks and are approved as safe food colourants by EFSA and the FDA within regulatory limits.
Does E141 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Copper complexes of chlorophylls, copper complexes of chlorophyllins.
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This page shows information and classifications recorded in our ingredient database. Current scientific and market-specific verification remains pending as described above. It is general information, not medical advice.