E141

E141 Copper Chlorophyllin — Is It Safe?

Natural-Derived Green Colour

What is E141 (Copper Chlorophyllin)?

E141 is Copper Chlorophyllin, a semi-synthetic green pigment made from natural chlorophyll.

How it's made:

• Extracted from plants – grass, nettles, alfalfa
• Treated with copper salts – replaces magnesium with copper
• Result: More stable, brighter green colour

Why it's used:

• Stable green colour – doesn't fade like pure chlorophyll
• Natural origin – appeals to "clean label" trend
• Doesn't change with pH – unlike some colours

E140 vs E141

• E140 (Chlorophyll): Pure chlorophyll – less stable, fades easily
• E141 (Copper Chlorophyllin): Copper-modified – more stable, brighter

E141 is preferred by manufacturers because it maintains its green colour better during processing and storage.

Where is E141 Found?

Food Products:

• Ice cream – mint and pistachio flavours
• Confectionery – green sweets
• Beverages – green drinks
• Chewing gum
• Dairy products
• Soups and sauces

Supplements:

• Chlorophyllin supplements – marketed for detox and deodorising

Is E141 Safe?

✅ Safety Profile:

• Approved in UK/EU with ADI of 15mg per kg body weight
• Natural origin – derived from plant chlorophyll
• Well-tolerated – no common side effects
• Copper levels are well below concerning amounts

The Copper Question:

Some wonder about the copper content:

• Copper is an essential mineral – you need some
• Amount in food colouring is very small
• ADI accounts for copper content
• Not a concern at normal consumption levels

Regulatory Status

UK/EU: Approved with ADI of 15mg per kg body weight

US: Approved for limited uses

Widely accepted as a safer alternative to synthetic green dyes

Who Should Avoid E141?

Almost No One Needs to:

• E141 is safe for virtually everyone
• No hyperactivity concerns
• No warning labels required

Rare Considerations:

• Wilson's disease (copper accumulation disorder) – theoretically should limit copper intake, but amounts in E141 are minimal

E141 vs Synthetic Green Dyes

E141 is often preferred over synthetic alternatives because:

• ✅ Natural origin
• ✅ No hyperactivity concerns
• ✅ No warning labels
• ✅ "Clean label" friendly

E141 in UK Supermarkets: What to Look For

You'll commonly spot E141 on ingredient lists in these UK supermarket products:

• Tesco – mint choc chip ice cream, pistachio desserts
• Sainsbury's – green-coloured boiled sweets, mushy peas
• M&S – premium matcha-flavoured products
• Aldi/Lidl – own-brand mint ice cream and green confectionery

On the label, E141 may also appear as "Copper Chlorophyllin", "Copper Chlorophyll Complex", "CI 75810", or simply "Colour (Chlorophyllin)". All refer to the same additive. If you want to check any product instantly, scan it with a food scanner app — NutraSafe flags every E-number automatically.

E141 and Children

Unlike the Southampton Six food colours linked to hyperactivity in children (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129), E141 is not on the FSA's warning list. No "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" label is required. This makes E141 a safer choice for children's products compared to synthetic alternatives like Brilliant Green (E142) or Green S.

The Bottom Line

• ✅ Safe – well-tolerated by most people
• ✅ Natural origin – derived from chlorophyll
• ✅ No hyperactivity links
• ✅ Vegan-friendly – plant-derived
• ✅ Better alternative to synthetic green dyes
• 💡 Copper content is minimal – not a concern

Our recommendation: E141 is one of the safer food colourings. If you see green-coloured products with E141 instead of synthetic dyes, that's generally a positive choice by the manufacturer. No need to avoid it unless you have specific concerns about copper (like Wilson's disease).

Related: Browse the full E-numbers database to check any additive, or read our guide on which E-numbers to avoid.

Last updated: February 2026