FOOD ADDITIVE

E100

Curcumin

Most complete information about food additive Curcumin (E100) - What is it? Is it harmful to health?

E100 (Curcumin) - natural food colorant of yellow-orange color, obtained from turmeric root. Safe for health, approved in Russia, EU, USA.
краситель • Natural colorant • Antioxidant • Anti-inflammatory agent
✓ GRAS - Generally Recognized As Safe (FDA)
Approved in Russia EU Approved USA Approved

E100 (Curcumin) - One of the Safest and Most Studied Food Additives

Has natural origin and possesses additional beneficial properties. Approved for use in food industry worldwide.

🌿
ORIGIN
plant
Plant-based origin
⚕️
SAFETY
GRAS
FDA recognized as safe
👶
FOR CHILDREN
Safe
With caution in case of allergies
🤰
PREGNANCY
Safe
In normal amounts

📊 Daily Intake Norm (ADI)

3.00 mg/kg
Established Daily Dose
According to JECFA/EFSA
210 mg
Maximum for 70 kg person
Safe Amount per Day

⚡ Health effects

✅ Positive effects:

  • Powerful antioxidant
  • Anti-inflammatory action
  • Digestive support
  • Being studied for effects on cognitive functions

⚠️ Potential risks:

  • Allergic reactions (rare)
  • Interaction with some medications
  • May cause gastrointestinal upset in high doses

💊 Medication interactions:

Warfarin and other anticoagulants: (dangerous) - May slow blood clotting. Use with caution when taking anticoagulants.
Aspirin and antiplatelet agents: (moderate) - May enhance blood thinning effect.
Some chemotherapy drugs: (moderate) - May affect metabolism of some chemotherapy drugs.

🔬 Chemical Properties

Formula: C₂₁H₂₀O₆
Molar Mass: 368.3800 g/mol
Appearance: Orange-yellow crystalline powder
Solubility: Poor in water, good in ethanol, acetone, fats
CAS Number: 458-37-7
Melting Point: 183°C
Quality Standards: Complies with USP, Eur. Ph.

🏷️ Identification in Ingredients

Look on Package For:

E100 Curcumin CurcuminTurmericTurmeric extractCurcuminTurmeric extract

Shopping Tips:

  • Look at the beginning of ingredients list - means more additive
  • Natural turmeric in spices is preferable to E100
  • Usually not used in organic products

Commonly Found In:

  • Curry seasoning (5-10 mg/serving)
  • Mustard (3-5 mg/100g)
  • Cheddar cheese (2-4 mg/100g)
  • Yogurts with additives (1-3 mg/100g)
  • Paprika flavored chips (5-8 mg/100g)
  • Soft drinks (Mountain Dew in USA) (10-15 mg/100ml)
  • Sauces and mayonnaise (2-5 mg/100g)
  • Confectionery products (3-7 mg/100g)

👥 For Special Groups

👶

Children

Considered safe for children. However, it may cause allergic reactions in predisposed children. Introduction of products with E100, like any new foods, should be done gradually.

🤰

Pregnancy & Lactation

Considered safe when consumed in food in normal amounts. As with any additive, in case of dietary supplements or large amounts of turmeric, consult your doctor.

🧓

Elderly

Safe when daily norms are observed. May be beneficial due to antioxidant properties.

📊 Comparison with other colorants

Code
Name
Origin
Safety
Action
E100
Curcumin
plant
GRAS
E102
Details
E160a
Details
E129
Allura Red AC
synthetic
restricted
E124
Ponceau 4R
synthetic
restricted
Details
E122
Azorubine
synthetic
restricted
Details
E120
Carmine
animal
permitted

📜 Historical Background

Turmeric, from which E100 is obtained, has been used in Ayurveda and traditional medicine for over 4000 years not only as a spice but also as an anti-inflammatory agent.

In Indian culture, turmeric has sacred significance and is used in religious ceremonies. Turmeric came to Europe in the Middle Ages and quickly became popular as a cheap alternative to saffron.

4000+
years of use
Ayurveda
traditional medicine

🎯 Consumption Simulator E100

Estimate your daily intake of curcumin through various food products

0 mg
Current Consumption curcumin
Optimal Level
Optimal
Normal
Excess
0 mg 105 mg 210 mg

Explanation: Exceeding the norm established by EFSA does not mean immediate harm, but is recommended for safe regular consumption.

Select products you consumed today:

📊Personal Norm Calculation

Daily Intake Norm: up to 3.00 mg per kg body weight

Recommended Maximum: 210 mg for 70 kg person

*Calculations are for reference only

*Actual content depends on manufacturer

🔬 Bioavailability & Absorption

Without additives
10%
With piperine
85%
With lecithin
65%

⚠️ Problem:

Curcumin is poorly absorbed by the body on its own (low bioavailability).

✅ Solution:

For better absorption, it is often combined with:
  • Piperine (black pepper extract) - increases absorption up to 2000%
  • Lecithin - improves solubility
  • Fats - curcumin is fat-soluble

💡 Tip:

Add black pepper to dishes with turmeric for better effect.

🌿 Natural Sources

🌿
TurmericRoot of Curcuma longa plant
2-5%
curcuminoids in dry root
4000+
years of traditional use

Main source: Turmeric - root of Curcuma longa plant

Content: 2-5% curcuminoids in dry turmeric root

Traditional use: Over 4000 years in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine

📚 Scientific Research

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) - Scientific opinion on curcumin safety

EFSA Journal

↗ Open Research
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - GRAS status of curcumin

FDA

↗ Open Research
PubMed Central - Research on anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin

PubMed

↗ Open Research

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about E100

Is E100 harmful or not?

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E100 (curcumin) is one of the safest food additives. It has natural origin (obtained from turmeric) and official GRAS status (Generally Recognized As Safe) from FDA.

Can E100 be given to children?

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Yes, E100 is considered safe for children. However, as with any new product, introduce products with this additive into the child's diet gradually, monitoring for possible reactions.

Is E100 food additive dangerous or not?

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E100 is not dangerous. It is one of the few food additives with natural origin that has a high safety profile and is approved for use worldwide.

What is E100 made from?

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E100 is obtained from the root of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa). It is a completely natural colorant that has been used in cooking and traditional medicine for centuries.

What is the effect of E100 on the body?

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E100 (curcumin) has a positive effect on the body:它具有抗氧化和抗炎特性。 Unlike many other food additives, E100 may provide health benefits when consumed in moderation.

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