Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins (E140)

Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins (E140) is one of the markers Open Food Facts uses to classify a food as ultra-processed (NOVA group 4).

What it is and why it counts

Colours are substances which add or restore colour in a food, and include natural constituents of foods and natural sources which are normally not consumed as foods as such and not normally used as characteristic ingredients of food.

Cosmetic additives

NOVA calls these additives "cosmetic": they change how a product looks, feels or tastes rather than keeping it safe to eat. Their presence is one of the two defining signs of an ultra-processed food.

Function

Colour: Colours are substances which add or restore colour in a food, and include natural constituents of foods and natural sources which are normally not consumed as foods as such and not normally used as characteristic ingredients of food.

Functional class definitions from the EU food additives regulation, via Open Food Facts.

More about chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins (E140) on Wikidata

Where it turns up

Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins (E140) appears in 26 of the 40,000 products on this site (0%).

Mint sauces 3 of 10 products
Cakes 2 of 377 products
Candies 2 of 486 products
Green peas 2 of 36 products
Assorted chocolate candies 1 of 19 products
Bodybuilding supplements 1 of 854 products

Products containing chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins (E140)

How the NOVA classification works