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E142 Green S

E142ColorsOrigin: Lab-made
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The short answer
Green S (E142) is a synthetic green dye used in Europe, especially in canned peas and mint sweets. It is not approved in US or Canadian food.
Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberE142
Comes fromLab-made
What it doesColors
Glycemic index—
Daily limit5 mg/kg
Also calledGreen S, Food Green S

Rules by country

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

Green S is allowed in the EU. EFSA's 2010 review kept Green S at a daily limit of 5 mg per kg of body weight. The US and Canada do not list it as a food color.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

350 mgper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 5 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 100 mg a day.

What is it?

Green S holds its color in tins and in acid sweets better than chlorophyll. That is why it turns up in canned peas, mint jelly and cake decorations in the UK and EU.

Where it comes from: Green S is a synthetic triarylmethane dye. The green is manufactured, not pressed from leaves.

Why it’s in food

  • Keeps canned peas green
  • Colors mint sweets
  • Tints cake icing
  • Colors canned fruit

Often found in

Canned peasMint jellyMint sauceCake decorationsCandied fruitIce cream

Also listed as: Green S, Food Green S, Wool Green S, Acid Green 50, CI 44090

Health & gut impact

Safety reviewConcern

EFSA found no need to lower the 5 mg per kg daily limit for Green S and did not attach a hyperactivity warning.

EFSA re-evaluation of Green S (2010)

Where you meet itUnder study

Because Green S is not a US food color, its presence usually means the product was made for a market that allows it.

FDA color additive rules; EU Regulation 1333/2008

Green the pantry way

For your pantry
Pantry staple

Mint extract

Flavor without a green dye; the color can come from the leaf.

Shop mint extract Opens your country’s Amazon store
Pantry staple

Matcha powder

Colors frosting and lattes green.

Shop culinary matcha Opens your country’s Amazon store
Clean substitute

Plant-based coloring kit

Greens mixed from spirulina and turmeric.

Shop plant food coloring Opens your country’s Amazon store

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes our ratings.

What can I use instead?

Copper chlorophyllin

Ratio: To shade

Best for: Mint ice cream and peas

Spirulina and turmeric

Ratio: To shade

Best for: Frosting

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

Why are some canned peas so green?

In Europe they may be colored with Green S so the peas stay bright after canning. Chlorophyll on its own turns olive.

Is Green S safe?

Use in moderation (57/100). Green S is allowed in the EU. EFSA's 2010 review kept Green S at a daily limit of 5 mg per kg of body weight. The US and Canada do not list it as a food color.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E142
  • EFSA re-evaluation of Green S (2010)
  • FDA color additive rules; EU Regulation 1333/2008

INS 142 · CAS 3087-16-9