Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormExtract (powder/liquid)
Industry PositionFood additive (colour) and nutraceutical ingredient
Market
Chlorophylls in India are primarily positioned as regulated colouring ingredients (INS 140 and related copper chlorophyll derivatives) for use in food manufacturing, with overlapping relevance for functional foods and supplement-type products depending on how they are classified and presented. Market access and continuity depend more on FSSAI compliance (permitted form/use, specifications, labeling/claims) than on agronomic seasonality. Imported chlorophyll ingredients are handled through FSSAI’s Food Import Clearance System (FICS) integrated with Customs ICEGATE/SWIFT, where document scrutiny and risk-based sampling/testing can delay or block clearance. As a result, supplier documentation quality, test evidence, and correct product categorization are central commercial differentiators in India.
Market RoleDomestic manufacturing and consumer market with mixed domestic supply and imports
Domestic RoleInput ingredient for food processors (natural green colour) and for functional food/supplement-format products subject to FSSAI categorization
Specification
Primary VarietyChlorophyll (INS 140)
Secondary Variety- Chlorophylls, copper complexes (INS 141(i))
- Sodium/potassium copper chlorophyllin (INS 141(ii))
Physical Attributes- Chlorophyll is described in the FSSAI compendium as an intensely dark green solution form (aqueous/ethanolic/oily) and is noted as soluble in ethanol/organic solvents and insoluble in water (chlorophyll form).
- Copper chlorophyll derivatives are used where improved stability is needed (form and use must match the permitted additive identity in India).
Compositional Metrics- FSSAI compendium includes metallic impurity limits and identity tests for chlorophyll colour (compliance evidence typically supported by specification sheet and batch test data).
Grades- Food additive identity aligned to INS numbers used in India (e.g., 140, 141(i), 141(ii))
Packaging- Industrial ingredient packaging should protect from light/moisture/air as applicable (e.g., sealed containers; supplier storage guidance may specify cool and dark conditions).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Plant-source pigment extraction and/or derivative preparation (e.g., copper complex/chlorophyllin) → purification/standardization → batch testing (spec + contaminants) → bulk packaging → importer document set preparation → FICS/ICEGATE clearance → distribution to food processors and functional food/supplement-format manufacturers
Temperature- Supplier guidance for sodium copper chlorophyllin commonly emphasizes cool, dark storage and sensitivity to air/moisture for quality preservation.
Atmosphere Control- Air sensitivity/hygroscopicity may require tight sealing and, in some cases, inert-gas storage/handling per supplier practice.
Shelf Life- Quality retention is sensitive to light/oxygen exposure and storage conditions; importers typically manage this through packaging controls and FIFO/lot traceability.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighIncorrect categorization or non-alignment with India’s FSSAI framework (e.g., presenting a chlorophyll ingredient as a supplement/nutraceutical input vs a permitted food colour additive, or mismatching INS identity/specification expectations) can lead to FICS objections, testing holds, or non-clearance (NCR) at import.Lock intended use-case (food colour vs functional food/supplement-format), map to the applicable FSSAI regulation pathway, and prepare an India-ready dossier (spec sheet, INS identity, test results, labels, end-use declaration) before shipment; use the FICS document checklist and pre-arrival scrutiny where feasible.
Documentation Gap MediumMissing or inconsistent mandatory import documents (e.g., label/ingredient list/end-use declaration not matching shipping documents) can delay FICS processing and trigger additional queries or sampling.Use the FSSAI Food Imports Manual document list as a pre-shipment checklist and ensure all documents match the same product/lot identifiers.
Food Safety MediumBotanical pigment ingredients can face scrutiny for contaminants/impurities; for chlorophyll colours, FSSAI specifications include metallic impurity considerations and identity testing expectations, and copper-complex variants require careful control of copper-related parameters.Require lot-specific test results against relevant specifications (identity + impurities/metals as applicable) and retain COA/test reports for rapid response to FICS sampling outcomes.
Labeling And Claims MediumFor supplement-format products, green-pigment positioning can invite enforcement risk if claims or label presentations fall outside FSSAI expectations for functional foods/health supplements (including how ingredients and claims are presented).Perform label-and-claims legal review against the applicable FSSAI regulations and align marketing claims to permitted structure/function framing where required.
Quality Fraud MediumMislabeling or substitution risk exists between chlorophyll (INS 140) and copper chlorophyll derivatives (INS 141 variants), which can create compliance issues if the declared identity does not match analytical profile and permitted use.Specify the exact INS identity in contracts and labels, and verify via incoming QC (spectral/assay checks plus metals as relevant) before release to production.
Sustainability- Solvent use and waste management in botanical extraction/processing (buyer audits may scrutinize EHS controls for ingredient plants).
- Copper management and contaminant controls for copper-complex colour variants (supplier QA focus).
Labor & Social- Worker safety controls are relevant where solvent handling and chemical processing are used (EHS and GMP expectations in audited supply chains).
Standards- ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000
- HACCP
- GMP (nutraceutical/ingredient manufacturing)
- ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab testing for supporting certificates of analysis where required/requested
FAQ
Which Indian authority and rule sets are most relevant for chlorophylls used in foods and supplement-format products?In India, FSSAI is the primary regulator. Chlorophylls used as food colours fall under FSSAI’s Food Products Standards and Food Additives framework, while supplement/functional-food type products are covered under FSSAI’s Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals Regulations, with labeling/claims requirements applied as relevant.
What documents are typically required to import chlorophyll ingredients into India through FSSAI clearance?The FSSAI Food Imports Manual lists a core set of documents for food import applications in FICS, including Bill of Entry, Country of Origin Certificate, Bill of Lading, FSSAI Import License, invoice, packing list, ingredient list, product label, and an end-use declaration.
Are copper chlorophyll derivatives recognized in India’s additive system alongside chlorophyll?Yes. FSSAI’s food additives compendium lists chlorophyll (INS 140) as a colour and also lists copper chlorophyll derivatives (INS 141(i) and 141(ii)) as colour entries, which is relevant when specifying and declaring the exact additive identity.