E162 Beetroot Red (Betanin)

E162ColorsOrigin: Plant

Get a personal answer

Pick your family’s diets in the bar above.

Every diet

VeganYes

Gluten-freeYes

HalalYes

KosherYes

KetoYes

Used in small amounts, so it adds almost no carbs.

Low-FODMAPYes

Whole beetroot is high-FODMAP in larger servings, but the amount used for color is tiny.

The short answer

Beetroot red (E162) is a natural red color made from beets, and it's one of the safest colors you'll find on a label. It's the most common swap for Red 40, though it fades with heat and light.

92/100

Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberE162

Comes fromPlant

What it doesColors

Glycemic index—

Daily limitNot set

Also calledBeet red, Betanin

Color with beets at home

For your pantry

Pantry staple

Organic beet root powder

Bright pink color for frosting, smoothies and pasta.

Shop beet powder Opens your country’s Amazon store

Clean substitute

Natural food coloring kit (plant-based)

Beet, spirulina and turmeric colors for home baking.

Shop natural colors Opens your country’s Amazon store

Party swap

Dye-free sprinkles

Colored with vegetable juice instead of synthetic dyes.

Shop dye-free sprinkles Opens your country’s Amazon store

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Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved

🇪🇺 European UnionApproved

🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved

CaliforniaNo extra rules

Approved in the US, EU and Canada with no fixed daily limit. The FDA exempts it from batch certification. EFSA's 2015 review found no safety concern at current use levels.

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

What is it?

Beetroot red is the pink-to-red pigment in beets, called betanin. It's sold as beet juice concentrate or powder and gives foods a raspberry-like pink. It breaks down with long cooking, so it suits chilled and lightly cooked foods best.

Where it comes from: Pressed or extracted from red beetroot. US labels usually say "beet juice", "dehydrated beets" or "vegetable juice (color)".

Why it’s in food

Colors yogurt, ice cream and candy pink or red
Replaces synthetic dyes like Red 40 in "no artificial colors" products
Makes plant-based burgers look red when raw

Often found in

Strawberry yogurt and ice creamDye-free candy and gummiesPlant-based burgersFrostingFruit drinksSausages

Also listed as: Beet red, Betanin, Beet juice color, Beetroot extract, Dehydrated beets, Vegetable juice (color), Beet juice

Health & gut impact

ToxicityConcern

No toxic effects found at the levels used in food.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2015)

NitrateUnder study

Beet extracts naturally carry some nitrate. EFSA asked for tighter limits in the color's specifications, but the amount it adds to the diet is small.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2015)

What can I use instead?

Hibiscus or purple carrot

Ratio: To taste

Best for: Drinks and gummies

Lycopene (tomato)

Ratio: To taste

Best for: Red sauces and baked goods

Allura Red AC vs Beetroot Red

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 avoid Beta-Carotene E160aBeta-carotene (E160a) is the orange pigment in carrots, and it's safe as a food color. Your body turns some of it into vitamin A. High-dose supplements raised lung cancer risk in smokers, but food coloring amounts are far smaller.Generally safe Brilliant Blue FCF (Blue 1) E133Blue 1 (E133) is a synthetic blue dye with a cleaner safety record than most petroleum dyes, and it doesn't need a warning in the EU. It's still being removed from California school food and is part of the FDA's push to phase out synthetic dyes.Best to avoid Caramel Color (Sulfite Ammonia Caramel) E150dCaramel color (E150d) is the most common food coloring in the world and is considered safe at normal intakes. Its one real question mark is 4-MEI, a byproduct California lists as a carcinogen, which is why colas cut their levels.Use in moderation

Common questions

Is Beetroot Red safe?

Generally safe (92/100). Approved in the US, EU and Canada with no fixed daily limit. The FDA exempts it from batch certification. EFSA's 2015 review found no safety concern at current use levels.

Is Beetroot Red vegan?

Yes.

Is Beetroot Red gluten-free?