🎨 Category Reference Database • 17 Verified Entries

Colors Catalog

Synthetic and natural colorants used in food.

17 Cataloged Compounds
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🍯 Hidden sugars 43 🌿 Sweeteners 18 ⚠️ Endocrine disruptors 16 🦠 Gut microbiome disruptors 15 ⚡ Stimulants 10 🧂 Sodium and salt forms 20 🚨 Allergens 14 🎨 Colors 17 🧪 Preservatives 26
Showing 17 of 17 items
01

FD&C Yellow 5

Colors
Biological Assessment: Synthetic dye, studied for sensitivity/hyperactivity in children
Common Label Aliases
Tartrazine E102
Catalog ID: #137 Decode in Scanner
02

FD&C Yellow 6

Colors
Biological Assessment: Synthetic dye, similar concerns to Yellow 5
Common Label Aliases
Sunset Yellow E110
Catalog ID: #138 Decode in Scanner
03

FD&C Red 40

Colors
Biological Assessment: Most widely used synthetic red dye
Common Label Aliases
Allura Red E129
Catalog ID: #139 Decode in Scanner
04

FD&C Red 3

Colors
Biological Assessment: Synthetic dye, banned in some contexts over cancer studies in animals
Common Label Aliases
Erythrosine E127
Catalog ID: #140 Decode in Scanner
05

FD&C Blue 1

Colors
Biological Assessment: Synthetic dye
Common Label Aliases
Brilliant Blue E133
Catalog ID: #141 Decode in Scanner
06

FD&C Blue 2

Colors
Biological Assessment: Synthetic dye
Common Label Aliases
Indigotine E132
Catalog ID: #142 Decode in Scanner
07

FD&C Green 3

Colors
Biological Assessment: Synthetic dye, less common
Common Label Aliases
Fast Green E143
Catalog ID: #143 Decode in Scanner
08

Caramel color

Colors
Biological Assessment: Made by heating sugar with reactive compounds; some classes flagged for a byproduct (4-MEI)
Common Label Aliases
E150a-d
Scientific Overview

Caramel color is one of the most widely used colorings worldwide, created by heating sugars to provide brown hues in foods and drinks.

Global Regulatory Approvals
FDA U.S. Food And Drug Administration Safe for intended uses. (FDA Approved, GRAS) Information about its use as a color or general purpose. In 1972, the health aspects of caramel as a food ingredient were evaluated.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority Safe for intended uses. In 2011 and 2012, EFSA reaffirmed the safety of caramel colors.
Catalog ID: #144 Decode in Scanner
09

Titanium dioxide

Colors
Biological Assessment: White pigment, banned as a food additive in the EU
Common Label Aliases
E171
Catalog ID: #145 Decode in Scanner
10

Annatto

Colors
Biological Assessment: Natural colorant from achiote seeds, can trigger sensitivity in some people
Common Label Aliases
E160b
Catalog ID: #146 Decode in Scanner
11

Beta-carotene

Colors
Biological Assessment: Natural orange/yellow colorant
Common Label Aliases
E160a
Scientific Overview

Vitamin A (retinol) is a fat-soluble vitamin found or used in food. It comes in various forms when used in nutrition. Vitamin A is a nutrient important to vision, growth, cell division, reproduction and immunity.

Global Regulatory Approvals
FDA U.S. Food And Drug Administration Affirmation by FDA this ingredient is generally recognized as safe as a direct human food ingredient. (GRAS FDA-Affirmed) In 2006, dietary reference intakes for vitamin A were reviewed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. In 1980, health aspects of vitamin A for use as a food ingredient were evaluated. FDA describes (a, b, c) nutrition facts labeling requirements.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority Safe for intended uses. Authorized for use in the EU (nutrients). In 2024, EFSA published a scientific opinion on tolerable upper intake levels of vitamin A. In 2015, EFSA issued an opinion on dietary reference values for vitamin A.
Catalog ID: #147 Decode in Scanner
12

Beet juice color

Colors
Biological Assessment: Natural red colorant from beets
Common Label Aliases
Betanin E162
Catalog ID: #148 Decode in Scanner
13

Turmeric / curcumin

Colors
Biological Assessment: Natural yellow colorant
Common Label Aliases
E100
Catalog ID: #149 Decode in Scanner
14

Paprika extract

Colors
Biological Assessment: Natural red/orange colorant
Common Label Aliases
E160c
Catalog ID: #150 Decode in Scanner
15

Spirulina extract

Colors
Biological Assessment: Natural blue colorant
Catalog ID: #151 Decode in Scanner
16

Carmine

Colors
Biological Assessment: Insect-derived red colorant, allergen risk
Common Label Aliases
Cochineal extract E120
Catalog ID: #152 Decode in Scanner
17

Anthocyanins

Colors
Biological Assessment: Natural purple/red colorant from fruit skins
Common Label Aliases
E163
Catalog ID: #153 Decode in Scanner