What is E 153?
E 153 is a food additive and colorant known by several names, including Vegetable Carbon, Carbon Black, and Vegetable Black. Its purpose in the food industry is to impart a deep, intense black color to a wide variety of products. Unlike many other food additives that are synthetic, E 153 is considered a natural colorant because it is derived directly from plant matter. The final product is an odorless and tasteless fine black powder, ensuring it does not affect the flavor profile of the food it colors. Its insolubility in water is a key property that makes it useful in certain applications where color bleeding is a concern, such as in hard candies or certain cheeses.
The origin and manufacturing of vegetable carbon
The production of E 153 involves a controlled process of charring and refinement of plant materials. The starting materials are typically renewable biomass sources such as wood, cellulose residues, peat, coconut shells, or bamboo. This process is carried out at high temperatures, often through steam activation, which converts the organic material into a finely divided, porous form of carbon. This charcoal is then milled into a fine powder to be used as a food-grade colorant. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and other regulatory bodies monitor its safety, ensuring that commercial-grade E 153 meets strict purity criteria and has low levels of potential contaminants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This regulatory oversight helps maintain its safety profile for consumption.
E 153 vs. animal-derived carbon
For vegetarians and vegans, it is crucial to understand the difference between E 153 and other carbon-based substances used in food production. The confusion often arises because some filtering processes, particularly in the sugar industry, use bone char, which is derived from animal bones. However, E 153, as specified by its name 'vegetable carbon', is explicitly derived from plant sources. This distinction is vital for those following a strict plant-based diet. The source material for E 153 guarantees that no animal products are involved in its production, unlike refined sugar in some cases where the filtration step is not plant-based.
| Feature | Vegetable Carbon (E153) | Bone Char |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Charred vegetable matter (e.g., coconut shells, wood) | Burnt animal bones (typically cattle) |
| Purpose in Food | Colorant for black shade | Decolorizing filter for sugar |
| Suitability for Vegetarians/Vegans | Yes, derived from plants | No, contains animal-derived material |
Products that may contain E 153
Vegetable carbon is a versatile additive used across various food categories to achieve a striking black color. Common products that may list E 153 on their ingredient list include:
- Confectionery: Licorice, black gummy candies, and decorative black coatings on sweets.
- Bakery Products: Black bread, cakes, pastries, and icings.
- Dairy and Cheese Products: The black layer in Morbier cheese or black wax coatings on certain cheeses.
- Beverages: Some spirits, liqueurs, and black cocktails use it for color.
- Decorations: Cake decorations, ice cream, and jellies.
- Specialty Products: Substitutes for black caviar.
The verdict for vegetarians and vegans
The definitive verdict for vegetarians and vegans is that E 153 is a plant-based food additive. Its sourcing from vegetable matter ensures that it aligns with a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle. The potential for non-vegan ingredients is related to the processing of the final food product itself, not the E 153. For example, a black icing colored with E 153 might contain non-vegan ingredients like butter, milk, or certain emulsifiers. Therefore, while E 153 itself is suitable, it is important to always check the full ingredient list of a finished product. For example, Food-Info.net states that E153 can be consumed by all religious groups, vegans and vegetarians. Additionally, in some regions, E153 is sold as a paste, which might include solvents. Reputable food manufacturers are required to declare all ingredients, and sourcing from trusted suppliers is key.
Conclusion
In summary, E 153, or vegetable carbon, is an additive perfectly suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It is a natural colorant derived from the charring of plant-based materials like coconut shells and wood. Unlike some refining agents like bone char, which come from animal sources, E 153 is entirely plant-based and tasteless. While E 153 itself poses no issues for a plant-based diet, it's always good practice to review the full ingredient list of any food product to ensure all components align with your dietary principles.
