E153 · Vegetable charcoal
- WHO
- Safe
- FDA
- Safe
- EFSA
- Safe
- FSANZ
- Safe
- Japan
- Safe
- UK FSA
- Safe
- Health Canada
- Safe
What is E153?
Vegetable charcoal is a black colorant made by carbonizing plant material such as wood or coconut shells at high temperature without oxygen. It is used to color foods like confectionery, cheese rinds, and bakery goods, and has become popular in novelty \"activated charcoal\" drinks and desserts. It is approved for food use in the EU, though it is not permitted as a food color additive in the United States. Regulatory bodies consider it safe when used within approved limits, but its capacity to bind other substances means it can also reduce absorption of some medications and nutrients if consumed in large amounts.
Also appears on labels as: Vegetable charcoal, Activated vegetable charcoal, Charcoal from plants, Vegetable carbon, Charcoal powder, Food grade vegetable charcoal, E153, E 153, E-153, INS 153, Carbon black (vegetable source), Additivo alimentare E153.
What the evidence says
- Can adsorb (bind) medications and nutrients in the digestive tract, potentially reducing absorption of oral drugs (e.g. contraceptives, other medicines) if consumed close together in large amounts.
- Not an approved food color additive in the United States, unlike in the EU.
- Generally recognized as safe at typical EU food-use levels.
Research behind the verdict
- Vegetable Carbon (E153) – Recent Findings — EFSA Panel on Food Additives, EFSA Journal (2012). Derived from vegetable sources; EFSA 2012 ADI “not specified”; safe except if contaminated with PAHs.[safe]
Frequently asked questions
Is E153 safe?
Our overall verdict for E153 (Vegetable charcoal) is “Safe”, based on the most cautious of the major regulators’ positions — FDA: safe; WHO: safe; EFSA: safe; FSANZ: safe; Japan: safe; UK FSA: safe; Health Canada: safe.
Is E153 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Vegetable charcoal — 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 E153 and why is it used?
Vegetable charcoal is a black colorant made by carbonizing plant material such as wood or coconut shells at high temperature without oxygen. It is used to color foods like confectionery, cheese rinds, and bakery goods, and has become popular in novelty \"activated charcoal\" drinks and desserts. It is approved for food use in the EU, though it is not permitted as a food color additive in the United States. Regulatory bodies consider it safe when used within approved limits, but its capacity to bind other substances means it can also reduce absorption of some medications and nutrients if consumed in large amounts.
Does E153 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Vegetable charcoal.
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This page summarises publicly available regulatory assessments and research. It is general information, not medical advice. Sources: EFSA, FDA, WHO and the studies linked above.