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Is Plant and fermentation colours (curcumin, riboflavin, chlorophyll, beet, anthocyanins) Halal?

Yes — this one is Halal.

Halal

High confidence About this ruling

About this ruling

Evidence confidence
High means this page cites a primary regulator listing and a named Halal certifier listing, retrieved 16 August 2026. That describes the quality of the sources on this page—not a Halal certificate for the pack or outlet in your hand.
How we score High, Medium, and Low

These colours are turmeric, vitamin B2, leaf pigments, plant char, paprika, tomato lycopene, beet, and berry anthocyanins.

Evidence at a glance

Named sources used for this page. Open the full Sources block for notes and citation numbers.

Source Type Retrieved
EFSA — Re-evaluation of curcumin (E100) European Food Safety Authority Regulatory / labelling
21 CFR § 73.600 turmeric U.S. eCFR Regulatory / labelling
SANHA — E100 (Curcumin) SANHA Certifier / jurisdiction
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives European Union Regulatory / labelling
European Commission — Food additives European Commission Regulatory / labelling
Codex GSFA online FAO / WHO Codex Regulatory / labelling
SANHA — E-numbers SANHA Certifier / jurisdiction
U.S. FDA — Food additives U.S. Food and Drug Administration Regulatory / labelling

Full Sources

Additive identity

E-number
E100, E101, E101a, E140, E141, E153, E160c, E160d, E162, E163
Codex INS
INS 100, INS 101, INS 101a, INS 140, INS 141, INS 153, INS 160c, INS 160d, INS 162, INS 163
Function
colour
Family
colours
EU Union list
authorised
Names
Curcumin; Riboflavins; Chlorophylls; Vegetable carbon; Paprika extract; Lycopene; Beetroot Red; Anthocyanins

Possible source pathways

The finished molecule can be identical across feedstocks. The Halal ruling follows the pathway, not the code alone.

  • plant · Typical Halal Botanical identity. No animal tissue is required for standard food grade.

E-number database Compare this family

Fruit and turmeric-coloured foods using plant pigments

Why this ruling

Curcumin (E100), riboflavin (E101), chlorophylls (E140–E141), vegetable carbon (E153), paprika extract (E160c), lycopene (E160d), beetroot red (E162), and anthocyanins (E163) are Halal plant and fermentation colours.[4][6]

They are what a shopper wants instead of carmine. Carotenes have a sister page.

Where you'll find it

  • Natural-colour confectionery
  • Drinks and yogurts

How to verify

1) Match E100, E101, E140, E153, E160c, E160d, E162, E163. 2) Halal. 3) Carotenes are on E160a. Carmine is E120.

  • Plant/fermentation colours → Halal.
  • Useful carmine alternatives.
  • E153 is vegetable carbon.

Conditions for Halal

  • E100/E101/E140/E141/E153/E160c/E160d/E162/E163 → Halal
  • Carmine remains a separate colour
  • Finished product: still check gelatin

Scholarly differences

These are the colours Halal shoppers want when avoiding insects. Vegetable carbon (E153) is charred plant matter, not bone char.

Frequently asked questions

Is turmeric colour Halal?
Yes. Curcumin (E100) is from turmeric.
Is vegetable carbon bone char?
Food-additive E153 is vegetable origin. Do not confuse it with bone-char sugar refining.

Sources

Named Islamic, certifier, manufacturer, and regulatory sources used on this page. Inline markers like [1] jump here. Retrieval dates show when we last checked the live URL. Editorial methodology.

Certifier / jurisdiction

  1. SANHA — E100 (Curcumin)

    SANHA

    Certifier: SANHA

    Named SANHA E-number entry (ingredient-class; not a product certificate).

    Retrieved:

  2. SANHA — E-numbers

    SANHA

    Certifier: SANHA

    Certifier E-number literacy; not a product certificate.

    Retrieved:

Regulatory / labelling

  1. EFSA — Re-evaluation of curcumin (E100)

    European Food Safety Authority

    Substance identity—not a Halal certificate for a finished pack.

    Retrieved:

  2. 21 CFR § 73.600 turmeric

    U.S. eCFR

    U.S. identity / GRAS or colour-additive listing—not a Halal ruling.

    Retrieved:

  3. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives

    European Union

    Union-list identity—not a Halal certificate.

    Retrieved:

  4. European Commission — Food additives

    European Commission

    EU additive literacy hub.

    Retrieved:

  5. Codex GSFA online

    FAO / WHO Codex

    Codex INS / GSFA identity.

    Retrieved:

  6. U.S. FDA — Food additives

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration

    US identity / labelling context—not a Halal ruling.

    Retrieved:

Browse this topic

Open the parent category hub for more foods in the same group.

Applies to
General ruling; confirm local labels, slaughter, and certification when relevant
Last reviewed