What E141 actually is
Plain chlorophyll turns a dull olive when heated or acidified, because the magnesium at the centre of the molecule falls out. E141 replaces that magnesium with copper, which holds on far more tightly. The result is a bright, stable green that survives cooking and long shelf life, which is why almost every green sweet uses it rather than E140.
What it is made from
Chlorophyll extracted from green plants such as nettles, grass, or alfalfa, then treated so copper replaces the magnesium. Plant-derived with an added mineral.
Vegan, vegetarian, and halal status
E141 is plant-derived with a mineral substitution and suits every dietary requirement. Where a carrier is used to disperse it, that carrier is worth its own check, though plant-based carriers are standard.
Is E141 safe?
The copper is the whole reason this is assessed separately from E140. EFSA re-evaluated the copper chlorophylls in 2015 and set a group acceptable daily intake of 15 mg per kg of body weight per day, with the copper itself the limiting factor rather than the pigment. Copper is an essential nutrient in small amounts and harmful in excess, so the limit exists to keep total copper intake in range. At normal colour-level use, exposure sits well below it.
- The copper content is the limiting factor, not the pigment, which is why E141 has an intake limit and E140 does not
- EFSA group acceptable daily intake of 15 mg per kg of body weight per day
- Copper is essential in small amounts and harmful in excess, so the limit protects total copper intake
Where regulators stand
- EFSA (EU)
- Re-evaluated in 2015. Group acceptable daily intake of 15 mg per kg of body weight per day, limited by copper content.
- FDA (US)
- Sodium copper chlorophyllin is permitted for specified uses rather than as a general food colour.
Foods it turns up in
- Green sweets and confectionery
- Ice cream and desserts
- Sauces, soups, and pickles
- Drinks and liqueurs
Names it hides behind
- E141
- Copper complexes of chlorophylls
- Copper chlorophyllin
- Colour (E141)
- E140 is the plain, unstabilised form
Common questions
- Why does E141 contain copper?
- Copper replaces the magnesium at the centre of chlorophyll and holds far more tightly, so the green survives heat and acid instead of turning olive brown.
- Is the copper in E141 harmful?
- Copper is an essential nutrient in small amounts. The intake limit exists to keep total copper in range, and colour-level use sits well below it.
- Is E141 vegan and halal?
- Yes. It is plant-derived chlorophyll with a mineral substitution and no animal input.
- Why is E141 used instead of E140?
- Plain chlorophyll fades quickly with heat and acid. Almost every green sweet needs a colour that survives processing and shelf life, which is what the copper form provides.
- Is copper chlorophyllin the supplement the same thing?
- Chemically the same family. Supplement doses are far higher than colour-level use, which is where the intake limit becomes relevant.
Checking a real pack
This page answers the code. The pack in your hand is what decides, because the same code can come from different sources depending on the manufacturer. LabelWise, formerly SafeChoice, scans the label and explains what is in front of you.
LabelWise content is educational and describes how additives are made, regulated, and labelled. It is not medical, dietary, or religious advice. For certification questions, the mark on the pack and the certifying body are the authority.