E153 — Vegetable carbon
E153 (Vegetable carbon), a color, is rated "safe": no significant concern. Activated charcoal made from plant material. Used to color liquorice, cheese rinds, and black ice cream or buns. Passes through the gut unabsorbed.
What is Vegetable carbon?
Charcoal produced by burning plant material like coconut shells or sawdust under controlled conditions. Used to color liquorice, black ice cream, gothic-style buns, and some cheese rinds.
What does it do to the body?
Sits in your gut and passes straight through; it is the same substance used medically to absorb toxins after poisoning. It can temporarily blacken stool and may reduce absorption of medications taken at the same time.
What regulators say
EFSA confirmed safety with no numerical limit in 2012. The FDA does not approve it as a food color in the United States.
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.