E153 – Carbon Black
ColouringDescription
Amorphous carbon produced by the incomplete combustion of vegetable matter; used as a black food coloring
Notes
Vegetable carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is made by heating organic plant materials like coconut shells, wood, or other vegetable matter at very high temperatures in an environment with little or no oxygen. This process, called carbonisation, burns away everything except the carbon, leaving behind a fine black powder. The material is then often "activated" through additional heating with steam or chemicals to increase its surface area and adsorbing properties. This natural black colouring agent is used to give foods an intense black colour, and you'll find it in trendy black-coloured foods like activated charcoal ice cream, black burger buns, black pasta, certain cocktails, and some health-focused food products. Unlike synthetic black dyes, vegetable carbon can also have mild detoxifying properties, though the amounts used in food colouring are typically too small to have significant health effects. Since it's derived entirely from plant sources, E153 is suitable for vegetarian, vegan, halal, and kosher diets. While generally considered safe, activated charcoal can interfere with the absorption of medications and nutrients, so people taking prescription drugs should be cautious about consuming large amounts. Some countries have restrictions on its use in food products, and there's ongoing debate about whether foods containing activated charcoal should be marketed with health claims.