Allervibe
E100
Curcumin
The yellow pigment extracted from turmeric root, used to colour food.
i Additive Details
| Is E100 Curcumin safe?
Well tolerated at the levels used in food. EFSA's 2010 re-evaluation set an ADI of 3 mg per kg of body weight per day and noted that children at the high end of consumption could approach or exceed it. Allergic contact reactions to turmeric are described but rare. Curcumin is not one of the six colours that must carry the EU warning about effects on children's activity and attention.
| Uses
Gives a bright yellow to orange colour to mustard, curry powder, pickles, processed cheese, butter and margarine, confectionery, ice cream, soups and sauces. It is fat-soluble and fades in strong light, so it is used mainly in products that are packed opaquely or eaten quickly.
| Interactions
Poorly soluble in water, so it is usually supplied dispersed in oil or with a solubiliser such as polysorbate 80. Its colour shifts from yellow towards reddish-brown as the pH rises, and it degrades on exposure to light.
| Origin
Extracted with solvents from the dried rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and then purified by crystallisation. A chemically synthesised form is also permitted.
| Daily Intake
EFSA set an ADI of 3 mg per kg of body weight per day in 2010; JECFA uses the same figure.
Information is sourced from public regulatory bodies (EFSA, FDA, WHO) and is for reference only. Always read the package and consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.
Related additives
- E170 Calcium carbonate A white mineral used as a colour, acidity regulator, anti-caking agent and calcium source in food.
- E101 Riboflavin Vitamin B2, a yellow-orange vitamin that is also used as a food colour.
- E162 Beetroot red A red-violet pigment (betanin) obtained from red beetroot.
- E163 Anthocyanins Water-soluble red, purple and blue plant pigments used as a food colour.
- E141 Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins A green colour made by replacing the magnesium at the centre of plant chlorophyll with copper.
- E150a Plain caramel The Class I caramel colour, made by heating sugars without ammonia or sulphite reagents.
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