E153 (a plant-based charcoal)

E153 is a plant-based charcoal. In the food industry, this additive is used as a coloring agent: it helps to give the product the desired shade, restore color after processing, or make the appearance more stable and recognizable.

What is this additive

By nature, E153 is a black dye based on carbon material of plant origin. It is important to distinguish the technological use of the dye from the nutritional value of the product: the mere presence of a dye does not indicate that the product is beneficial or harmful until the entire composition is understood.

For accurate labeling, not only the number but also the name of the substance matters. Similar E-codes may have close colors but completely different sources, chemical structures, and usage restrictions.

Why it is added

The main task of E153 is to provide a black shade. Dyes are particularly often used where the natural color of the raw material is lost during heating, storage, grinding, mixing with other ingredients, or prolonged transportation.

In practice, E153 can be found in products such as confectionery, glazes, decorative products, cheeses, and products with a black color. The specific application depends on the legislation of the country, the product category, dosage, and the technological purpose of the manufacturer.

Nutritional value and metabolism

Dyes are usually added in very small amounts, so they rarely represent a significant source of calories, proteins, fats, or digestible carbohydrates. For blood sugar and insulin, the product’s recipe is often more important: sugar, flour, starch, syrups, fats, and portion size.

If a product is positioned as dietary, low-carb, or for children, the presence of a dye should still be evaluated together with the other ingredients. A bright color can mask a poor composition but may also occur in a neutral technological dose.

Safety and possible restrictions

Plant-based charcoal as a dye should not be confused with medical activated charcoal and should not be considered a detoxifying agent in food.

Individual tolerance varies: sensitive individuals may have reactions to specific dyes or to the product as a whole. If itching, rash, headache, abdominal discomfort, or unusual reactions in a child occur after a specific meal, it is useful to correlate the symptoms with the composition and discuss it with a specialist.

How to read the label

On the label, E153 may be indicated either as an E number or as a name: plant charcoal. It is better to assess not just the number in isolation but the entire food matrix: frequency of consumption, amount of ultra-processed products, sugar, sweeteners, flavorings, preservatives, and overall diet.