My diet:

E140 Chlorophylls

E140ColorsOrigin: Plant
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The short answer
Chlorophylls (E140) are the green of leaves, extracted and used as a color. They are considered safe. They fade and turn olive when heated, which is why many products use the copper version instead.
Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberE140
Comes fromPlant
What it doesColors
Glycemic index—
Daily limitNot set
Also calledChlorophyll, Chlorophylls

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDANot evaluated as an additive
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Chlorophylls are authorized food colors in the EU, and EFSA did not set a numerical daily limit. The US has not listed plain chlorophyll as a color additive for general food use; copper chlorophyllin (E141) is the form with a narrow US food-color approval.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

E140 is natural chlorophyll or its water-soluble chlorophyllin, still built around magnesium. It colors oils, sweets and dairy a grassy green, but acid and heat dull it.

Where it comes from: Chlorophylls are the green pigments extracted from grass, nettles, alfalfa or spinach. E140 keeps the plant's magnesium in the middle of the molecule.

Why it’s in food

  • Greens oils and dressings
  • Colors sweets lightly
  • Tints pasta
  • Colors dairy drinks

Often found in

Herb oilsPastaSweetsIce creamSoupsConfectionery

Also listed as: Chlorophyll, Chlorophylls, Natural Green 3, CI 75810

Health & gut impact

SafetyConcern

EFSA found no safety concern for chlorophylls used as colors and saw no need for a numerical daily limit.

EFSA re-evaluation of chlorophylls (2015)

Not a detoxConcern

Chlorophyll supplements are marketed for body odor and detox. Food-color amounts are not a treatment.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2015)

Greens you can stir in

For your pantry
Pantry staple

Spinach powder

Colors dough and smoothies with a mild taste.

Shop spinach powder Opens your country’s Amazon store
Pantry staple

Culinary matcha

A stable kitchen green for cakes.

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Pantry staple

Dried nettles

A grassy green for soups, closer to chlorophyll's source.

Shop dried nettles Opens your country’s Amazon store

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What can I use instead?

Copper chlorophyllin

Ratio: To shade

Best for: When the green must survive heat

Spinach powder

Ratio: To color

Best for: Pasta and smoothies

Related

More colors:

Allura Red AC (Red 40) E129Red 40 (E129) is a petroleum-based dye. It's legal in the US and EU, but European packages must carry a warning about hyperactivity in children, and California is removing it from school food.Best to avoidAmaranth dye E123Amaranth dye (E123) is a synthetic red that the US banned in 1976. Europe still allows tiny uses. It is not the amaranth seed sold as a gluten-free grain.Best to avoidAmmonia caramel (Caramel III) E150cAmmonia caramel (E150c) is the caramel class made with ammonia and no sulfite, common in beer. It is approved, but like cola caramel it can contain 4-MEI, which California lists under Proposition 65.Use in moderationAnnatto E160bAnnatto (E160b) is a natural orange color from achiote seeds. It's what makes cheddar orange. It's safe and vegan, though it's one of the few natural colors that can trigger allergies.Generally safe

Common questions

How is E140 different from E141?

E140 is chlorophyll with its natural magnesium. E141 swaps that magnesium for copper so the green survives cooking.

Is Chlorophylls safe?

Generally safe (90/100). Chlorophylls are authorized food colors in the EU, and EFSA did not set a numerical daily limit. The US has not listed plain chlorophyll as a color additive for general food use; copper chlorophyllin (E141) is the form with a narrow US food-color approval.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E140
  • EFSA re-evaluation of chlorophylls (2015)
  • EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2015)

INS 140 · CAS 1406-65-1