Vegetable Carbon E153
natural — Primarily plant carbonization.
Carbon black (vegetable origin)
CAS: 1333-86-4
Factual Regulatory Reference
This database provides factual regulatory information compiled from official government sources. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or safety advice. Regulatory status varies by country and is subject to change. Always refer to your local regulatory authority for the most current information.
What Is Vegetable Carbon?
Vegetable Carbon (E153), also known as carbon black or activated charcoal, is produced by the controlled carbonization of vegetable materials such as peat, wood, lignite, coconut shells, or other plant-derived materials at high temperatures in an oxygen-limited environment. It produces a deep black color and is used in certain confectionery products, ice cream coatings, biscuits, and traditional foods like black jelly in some Asian markets. E153 is approved in the EU under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 with specific use restrictions. In the United States, vegetable carbon/charcoal is generally not approved as a synthetic color additive under FDA color additive regulations, though it may have limited use as a coloring food or through other pathways. EFSA evaluated vegetable carbon and set an ADI of not specified.
? Did You Know?
Vegetable Carbon is derived from plant materials — its origin is more natural than its E-number might suggest.
Beyond food, Vegetable Carbon is also used in cosmetics, medicine, industrial applications. Its versatility makes it one of the most multi-purpose chemical compounds in everyday life.
Regulatory opinions differ: Vegetable Carbon is approved in EU, JAPAN, CANADA but banned in USA. This reflects different risk assessment philosophies between regions.
Regulatory Analysis
The transatlantic divergence on vegetable carbon (E153) is rooted in FDA color additive classification rather than toxicology. The FDA categorizes color additives strictly under 21 CFR Part 73/74, and vegetable carbon has not obtained listing as a certified or exempt color additive for direct food use. The EU's approval under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 is conditional on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) purity — benzo[a]pyrene must be below 1.0 µg/kg — addressing the key impurity concern that arises from high-temperature carbonization. EFSA's 2012 re-evaluation could not establish a numerical ADI due to data limitations but concluded that E153 meeting PAH specifications was not of safety concern at current use levels. Japan and Australia maintain approval. The regulatory gap between the EU and USA reflects administrative classification differences more than disagreement on toxicological evidence.
Detailed Regulatory Assessment
European Union (EFSA)
Must meet strict purity standards; carcinogenic PAHs must be <1.0 µg/kg (as benzo[a]pyrene)
Official EFSA LinkUnited States (FDA)
FDA does not approve E153 for use in food
Japan (MHLW)
Classified as existing food additive under Japanese regulations
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
International Standard (JECFA)
mg/kg body weight per day
European Standard (EFSA)
Natural Occurrence
This additive is not known to occur naturally in significant quantities.
Manufacturing
Produced by carbonization of vegetable materials (wood, coconut shells, bamboo, peat, or other plant residues) at high temperatures in a limited supply of air, followed by steam activation. The process involves controlled incomplete combustion that converts organic plant matter into finely divided elemental carbon particles. This is literally burnt plant material processed into a stable black pigment.
Applications Beyond Food
Used in cosmetics and personal care products for black coloring
Used as a colorant in pharmaceutical preparations and activated charcoal products
Used in inks, paints, and industrial applications