Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood Additive (Colour)
Market
Chlorophylls and chlorophyllins, copper complexes (INS 141(i) and 141(ii), commonly E141) are green food colour additives supplied globally as specialty ingredients rather than as an origin-specific agricultural commodity. International use is shaped primarily by additive permissions and specifications set by food-safety authorities and standards bodies, including Codex (GSFA) provisions by food category and JECFA evaluations with an ADI historically set at 0–15 mg/kg bw. Regulatory positioning is complex because EFSA’s 2015 re-evaluation concluded key toxicology and ADME data were lacking and recommended withdrawing the ADI, increasing compliance uncertainty for EU-facing trade. Market demand is linked to applications where stable green coloration is needed (e.g., confectionery and other processed foods) and where buyers prefer plant-derived colourants, subject to local legal allowances.
Specification
Major VarietiesINS 141(i) — Chlorophylls, copper complexes (oil-soluble copper phaeophytins), INS 141(ii) — Chlorophyllin copper complexes, potassium and sodium salts (more water-dispersible)
Physical Attributes- Green to black powder forms are described for sodium copper chlorophyllin and potassium sodium copper chlorophyllin in US listings.
- Oil-soluble preparations may be standardized as a dilute colour additive mixture (e.g., a defined-percent concentrate in edible oils in certain regulatory listings).
Compositional Metrics- Identity is based on chlorophyll-derived structures where magnesium is replaced by copper; specifications and purity criteria are set in regulatory listings and JECFA/FAO specification monographs.
- Residual solvent limits and moisture limits may apply under specific national listings (e.g., US CFR listings for sodium copper chlorophyllin).
Grades- JECFA/FAO specification monographs (FAO Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications) are commonly used as international reference points for identity and purity.
- Codex GSFA provisions apply at additive-group level for total content where the group is authorized for a given food category.
Packaging- Commercial shipments are typically supplied as standardized colourant ingredients (powder or formulated preparations) for dosing into food manufacturing systems; labeling commonly references INS/E-number and applicable specification standard (e.g., JECFA/FAO).
ProcessingChosen form depends on the intended matrix: more lipophilic copper chlorophyll-derived complexes for fat-containing systems versus salt forms designed for better dispersibility in aqueous systems, subject to local approvals.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Plant pigment extraction (chlorophyll) from specified botanical sources -> chemical conversion (e.g., saponification/derivatization) -> copper complexation -> purification/standardization to specification -> drying or formulation into a prepared mixture -> QC against identity/purity limits -> shipment to food manufacturers
Demand Drivers- Need for stable green coloration in processed foods where native chlorophyll is less stable (heat/light/acid sensitivity concerns addressed via copper complexation).
- Codex GSFA authorizations across multiple processed food categories can support formulation use where national rules align (e.g., confectionery categories and other preserved/processed foods in GSFA provisions).
- Preference in some markets for plant-derived colourants, balanced against scrutiny of whether the manufacturing process qualifies as 'natural' under local definitions.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighGlobal trade and use are highly sensitive to regulatory divergence: Codex/JECFA list INS 141(i)/(ii) with long-standing evaluations and Codex GSFA provisions by food category, while EFSA’s 2015 re-evaluation concluded that key data gaps meant safety could not be assessed and recommended withdrawing the ADI. This mismatch can disrupt product acceptance, customer specifications, and labeling/claims (e.g., 'natural' positioning) across markets.Maintain market-by-market regulatory mapping (Codex vs. national rules), keep a current toxicology/specification dossier aligned to target jurisdictions, and qualify alternative green colour options for contingency reformulation.
Food Safety MediumAs a copper-containing colour additive, compliance depends on meeting identity/purity specifications (including limits relevant to residual solvents or moisture in certain listings) and controlling impurities typical of botanical extraction and chemical processing. Non-conformance can trigger border rejections or recalls in regulated markets.Source against recognized specifications (e.g., FAO/JECFA monographs and applicable national CFR/legislation), implement robust incoming botanical raw-material controls, and use validated analytical testing for identity and impurity profiles.
Allergen Labeling MediumSome oil-soluble preparations described in regulatory listings are diluted in edible oils including peanut oil, which can create allergen-labeling and cross-contact concerns for downstream users depending on formulation and local allergen rules.Offer and qualify allergen-free carriers where feasible, ensure full carrier disclosure in specifications/CoAs, and support customers with allergen risk assessments for their finished products.
Market Access MediumBuyer acceptance can be constrained by how authorities and customers interpret processing and source materials: EFSA noted the use of plant sources not regarded as edible for humans (e.g., grass/lucerne/nettle) and that the manufacturing process may not qualify as 'natural' under certain frameworks, affecting claims and procurement policies.Align sourcing and labeling to local definitions, document botanical sources and process controls transparently, and avoid 'natural colour' claims unless jurisdiction-specific criteria are clearly met.
Sustainability- Solvent use and recovery in chlorophyll extraction (e.g., acetone, ethanol, hexane described in certain regulatory identities) and associated emissions/waste management expectations.
- Copper input stewardship (salts used for complexation) and wastewater/effluent control to manage metal loadings and meet environmental compliance at manufacturing sites.
FAQ
What are chlorophylls and chlorophyllins, copper complexes (E141 / INS 141(i) and 141(ii)) used for?They are green food colour additives used to provide green coloration in processed foods where standard chlorophyll can be unstable. Codex GSFA lists this additive group for use in multiple food categories with specified maximum levels, and JECFA lists INS 141(i) and 141(ii) as food colour additives.
What is the difference between INS 141(i) and INS 141(ii)?INS 141(i) refers to chlorophylls, copper complexes (often described as copper phaeophytins), while INS 141(ii) refers to chlorophyllin copper complexes, typically as potassium and sodium salts. They are treated as related but distinct additive entries in JECFA/Codex references.
Why is the regulatory status sometimes described as complex for this additive group?JECFA’s database lists an ADI of 0–15 mg/kg body weight for both INS 141(i) and INS 141(ii) entries, and Codex GSFA includes use provisions by food category. However, EFSA’s 2015 re-evaluation concluded that important toxicology and ADME data were lacking and stated that the safety of use could not be assessed, recommending that the ADI be withdrawn, which can affect EU-facing compliance expectations.
How is sodium copper chlorophyllin described in the United States regulations?In the US e-CFR, sodium copper chlorophyllin is described as a green to black powder prepared from chlorophyll by saponification and replacement of magnesium by copper, with chlorophyll extracted from alfalfa using solvents such as acetone, ethanol, and hexane, and it must meet specification limits (including for moisture and solvent residues) under its listing regulation.