Which colorings are vegan?
Short answer
Of the 6 colorings we track, 1 are not vegan, 0 depend on sourcing, and 5 are reliably vegan. Tap any ingredient for the full verdict, label names and alternatives.
Key takeaways
- Not vegan: Cochineal (E120 / Carmine / Carminic Acid).
- Depends on sourcing: none tracked.
- Reliably vegan: Annatto, Beetroot Red (E162), Beta-Carotene (E160a), Chlorophyll (E140), Riboflavin (B2 / E101).
- Scan any barcode in the free VeggieOS app for an instant vegan verdict.
Not vegan (1)
Vegan (5)
Is Annatto vegan?
E160b
Annatto is a yellow-orange dye from the achiote tree. Always vegan.
Is Beetroot Red (E162) vegan?
E162
Beetroot red is pigment from beets. Always vegan.
Is Beta-Carotene (E160a) vegan?
E160a
Beta-carotene used as a coloring is plant- or microbial-derived. Vegan.
Is Chlorophyll (E140) vegan?
E140
Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants. Always vegan.
Is Riboflavin (B2 / E101) vegan?
E101
Riboflavin used as yellow coloring is bacterial-fermentation derived. Vegan.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Which colorings are not vegan?
- Cochineal (E120 / Carmine / Carminic Acid) are animal-derived and not vegan.
- How do I check a coloring on a label?
- Look for the ingredient name or its E-number in the ingredients list, then check it here. You can also scan the barcode in the free VeggieOS app for an instant vegan verdict.