My diet:

E163 Anthocyanins

E163ColorsOrigin: Plant
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Pick your family’s diets in the bar above.

Every diet

VeganYes

Made from fruit and vegetables.

Gluten-freeYes
HalalYes
KosherYes
KetoYes
Low-FODMAPYes

The amount used for color is tiny, even when the source fruit is high-FODMAP.

The short answer
Anthocyanins (E163) are the natural red, purple and blue pigments of grapes, berries and purple carrots. They're one of the safest food colors and fit every diet we check.
Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberE163
Comes fromPlant
What it doesColors
Glycemic index—
Daily limitNot set
Also calledAnthocyanins, Anthocyanin

Color food with fruit and vegetables

For your pantry
Pantry staple

Freeze-dried berry powder

Turns frosting, smoothies and pancakes pink to purple.

Shop berry powder Opens your country’s Amazon store
Clean substitute

Plant-based food coloring set

Reds and purples from vegetable juices, no synthetic dyes.

Shop natural food coloring Opens your country’s Amazon store
Clean grocery swap

Dye-free fruit snacks

Colored with vegetable juice instead of Red 40.

Shop dye-free fruit snacks 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. The FDA exempts these colors from batch certification and usually lists them as "vegetable juice" or "fruit juice" color. EFSA's 2013 review found no safety concern.

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

What is it?

Anthocyanins change color with acidity: red in acidic foods, purple in neutral ones and blue in alkaline ones. That's why they're the go-to natural swap for Red 40 in drinks, yogurt and candy.

Where it comes from: Extracted from colorful fruits and vegetables: grape skins, purple carrots, purple sweet potatoes, red cabbage and berries.

Why it’s in food

  • Colors drinks, yogurt and candy red or purple
  • Replaces Red 40 and Red 3 on clean labels
  • Colors jams and fruit fillings
  • Tints ice cream and frozen desserts

Often found in

Fruit drinks and sodaYogurtGummies and candyJam and fruit fillingsIce creamFruit snacks

Also listed as: Anthocyanins, Anthocyanin, Grape skin extract, Enocianina, Purple carrot extract, Black carrot extract, Purple sweet potato extract, Red cabbage extract, Grape color extract, E163(i), E163(ii)

Health & gut impact

Safety reviewBenefit

EFSA found no safety concern. People already eat far more anthocyanins from fruit and vegetables than from food coloring.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2013)

AntioxidantsBenefit

Diets rich in anthocyanin foods such as berries are linked to better heart health, though food coloring adds only a little.

Wallace, Adv. Nutr. (2011)

What can I use instead?

Beetroot red

Ratio: To shade

Best for: Pink and red foods

Carmine

Ratio: To shade

Best for: Heat-stable red (not vegan)

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 avoidAnnatto 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 safeBeetroot Red (Betanin) E162Beetroot 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.Generally safeBeta-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

Common questions

Is Anthocyanins safe?

Generally safe (94/100). Approved in the US, EU and Canada. The FDA exempts these colors from batch certification and usually lists them as "vegetable juice" or "fruit juice" color. EFSA's 2013 review found no safety concern.

Is Anthocyanins vegan?

Yes. Made from fruit and vegetables.

Is Anthocyanins gluten-free?

Yes.

Why does my naturally colored drink look different from the photo?

Anthocyanins shift color with acidity and fade with light and heat, so shades vary from batch to batch.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • 21 CFR 73.260 (US FDA)
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E163
  • EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2013)
  • Wallace, Adv. Nutr. (2011)

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: November 1, 2026 · INS 163