Food Colour Additives

Name	Code	Structure
Curcumin λ_max= 420 nm	E100, CI
Riboflavin λ_max= ? nm	E101, CI
Tartrazine λ_max= 426 nm	E102, CI 19140 FD&C Yellow No. 5
Sunset Yellow FCF λ_max= 480 nm	E110, CI 15985 FD&C Yellow No. 6
Cochineal λ_max= 530 nm	E120, CI�
Carmoisine azorubine λ_max= 515 nm	E122, CI 14720
Amaranth λ_max= 523 nm	E123, CI 16185 FD&C Red No. 2 banned by FDA 1976
Brilliant Scarlet 4R λ_max= 503 nm	E124, CI 16255
Erythrosine λ_max= 530 nm	E127, CI 45430 FD&C Red No. 3
Allura Red AC λ_max= 507 nm	E129, CI 16035 FD&C Red No. 40
Indigo Carmine Indigotine λ_max= 608 nm	E132, CI 73015 FD&C Blue No. 2
Brilliant Blue FCF λ_max= 630 nm	E133, CI 42090 FD&C Blue No.1
Chlorophylls and copper complexes	E140 and E141
Green S λ_max= 633 nm	E142, CI 44090
Brilliant Black BN (PN)	E151, CI 28440
Chocolate Brown HT	E155, CI 20285
β-Carotene	E160a
Bixin λ_max= 470 nm	E160b
Lycopene	E60d, CI
Betanin λ_max= 535 nm	E162
Fast Green FCF λ_max= 625 nm	INS 143, CI 42053 FD&C Green No. 3

The E (EEC code) is being replaced for international use by the Codex Alimentarius Commission who are developing an International Numbering System (INS). This will largely use the same numbers (but without the E). CI is the code used in the Colour Index Volumes.

In the USA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating colour additives and they use codes beginning with FD&C (from the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938).

References