What E163 actually is
Anthocyanins are the pigments behind blueberries, red cabbage, and black grapes. Their defining property is that colour depends on pH: red in acid, purple around neutral, blue or green in alkaline conditions. That makes them versatile but also unpredictable, which is why formulators pair them with a controlled acidity.
What it is made from
Extracted from grape skins, blackcurrant, elderberry, red cabbage, purple carrot, or hibiscus. Entirely plant-derived. Grape skin extract, a common source, is a by-product of winemaking.
Vegan, vegetarian, and halal status
Anthocyanins are plant-derived and suit every dietary requirement. One point some halal shoppers raise is that grape skin extract is a winemaking by-product; the extract itself contains no alcohol, and certification bodies generally accept it, but a certification mark settles it where it matters to you.
Is E163 safe?
Anthocyanins are permitted in the EU, UK, and US and are among the least contentious colours. EFSA re-evaluated them in 2013 and did not identify a safety concern at reported intakes. They are the same compounds consumed in ordinary quantities from fruit and vegetables. Some anthocyanin preparations use sulphur dioxide during extraction, so residual sulphites can be present and would then need declaring.
- No established health concerns; the same compounds occur in everyday fruit and vegetables
- Colour shifts with pH, which is a formulation limitation rather than a safety issue
- Some preparations carry residual sulphites from extraction, which must then be declared
Where regulators stand
- EFSA (EU)
- Re-evaluated in 2013 with no safety concern identified at reported intakes.
- FDA (US)
- Grape colour extract and fruit juice colours are exempt from certification.
Foods it turns up in
- Soft drinks and squash
- Yoghurt and dairy desserts
- Jams and fruit preparations
- Confectionery and ice cream
Names it hides behind
- E163
- Anthocyanins
- Grape skin extract
- Blackcurrant extract
- Colour (E163)
Common questions
- Are anthocyanins natural?
- Yes. They are extracted from berries, grapes, red cabbage, and similar plants, and they are permitted in organic food.
- Are anthocyanins vegan and halal?
- Yes, they are plant-derived. Grape skin extract is a winemaking by-product but contains no alcohol, and certification bodies generally accept it.
- Why does the colour change?
- Anthocyanins are pH sensitive: red in acid, purple near neutral, blue or green in alkaline conditions. It is the same chemistry that turns red cabbage blue when you cook it with something alkaline.
- Do anthocyanins have health benefits?
- They are studied as antioxidants in fruit and vegetables, but the amounts used to colour a product are small, and no health claim is authorised for the additive.
- Can anthocyanins contain sulphites?
- Some preparations use sulphur dioxide during extraction, so residues are possible. Where present above the threshold, they must be declared as an allergen.
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.