Safe
E140 — Chlorophyll
Color
E140 (Chlorophyll), a color, is rated "safe": no significant concern. The green pigment that makes plants green. Extracted from alfalfa, nettles, and other leaves to color sweets, pasta, oils, and drinks.
What is Chlorophyll?
The natural green pigment extracted from plant leaves. Used to color pasta, ice cream, chewing gum, candy, oils, and absinthe-style spirits.
What does it do to the body?
Essentially the same molecule you eat in every salad, broccoli stem, and spinach leaf. No realistic safety issues from food-level exposure.
What regulators say
EFSA and the FDA treat it as a safe natural color without a numerical acceptable daily intake.
Risk rating: Safe
Cleared by EFSA with no significant concern at typical dietary exposure. Common, well-studied, and not a reason to put a product back on the shelf.
Frequently asked questions
Is E140 (Chlorophyll) safe?
EFSA and the FDA treat it as a safe natural color without a numerical acceptable daily intake.
What is E140 (Chlorophyll)?
The natural green pigment extracted from plant leaves. Used to color pasta, ice cream, chewing gum, candy, oils, and absinthe-style spirits.
What does Chlorophyll do to the body?
Essentially the same molecule you eat in every salad, broccoli stem, and spinach leaf. No realistic safety issues from food-level exposure.
What are other names for E140?
E140 is also known as chlorophyll, chlorophyllin.