Carbon Black (E152): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Carbon Black is a black pigment produced by the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. IARC classifies carbon black in Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans, and food-grade material can carry carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon impurities. It is not authorised as a food colour in the EU/UK, which permits only the plant-derived alternative vegetable carbon, E153.
- Category
- Colour — Mineral pigment
- Typically used in
- Not authorised for food in the EU/UK; distinct from the permitted vegetable carbon E153.
- Regulatory status
- Not authorised as a food colour in the EU/UK. IARC Group 2B.
- Concerns flagged
-
Carcinogenicity concern
Scrannr flags Carbon Black automatically when you scan a barcode.
Where this comes from
- IARC (2018) — Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs Volumes 1-123 https://monographs.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/ClassificationsAlphaOrder.pdf
Products containing Carbon Black
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