Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins are the colors the food industry lists as E141. In our table they are moderate risk: they take 15 points off the additive subscore, a third of a product's score (about 5 of the 100).
- The key finding, from EFSA: Reliable data on ADME, genotoxicity, chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity and reproductive/developmental toxicity are lacking for E141(i) and E141(ii); safety of use cannot be assessed and the existing ADI should be withdrawn (10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4151)
- No child flag. The class, and the points it costs, are the same for a child of any age.
- Where you meet it. They turn up in 3 of the 10,000 packaged foods scanned most on Open Food Facts. Nine in ten of those foods are sold in Europe (counted 26 Sep 2026).
- 2 citations from EFSA, each one below.
What Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins do to a score
A packaged food's additive subscore starts at 100 and loses points for each additive on the label; that subscore is a third of the final score. Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins take 15 points off the additive subscore, a third of a product's score (about 5 of the 100). Scan the pack in Sito and the score you get is the one for your own child's age, with this additive named in the reasons. How we score has the whole method.
See what is in your own cupboard
Scan a packaged food and Sito names the additives in it, then scores the product out of 100 for your child's age.
What the sources found
Every classification in our table comes from the citations below, and nothing else. Each finding is our one-line summary of what the source concluded, with the source and reference beside it.
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EFSA
10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4151
Reliable data on ADME, genotoxicity, chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity and reproductive/developmental toxicity are lacking for E141(i) and E141(ii); safety of use cannot be assessed and the existing ADI should be withdrawn. -
EFSA
10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4151
Specifications should be updated to identify the non-chlorophyll components of E141(i), which may represent up to 90% of the extract.
Why this class
IARC Group 2B; or an EFSA re-evaluation that flagged genotoxicity data gaps, found safety could not be assessed on the available data, or cut the ADI citing child exposure; or an EU harmonised classification of the substance as a reproductive or developmental hazard; or an EU withdrawal of one authorised food use while others remain; or an OEHHA/Proposition 65 listing; or membership of the Southampton-six colourants.
Our confidence in this row's classification is high. Medium or low does not mean the evidence is weak; it means something about the row is still being pinned down, usually a regulatory status confirmed from one source rather than two.
Questions parents ask
Are Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins (E141) safe for kids?
Moderate risk. In Sito it takes 15 points off the additive subscore, a third of a product's score (about 5 of the 100). The finding we rely on: Reliable data on ADME, genotoxicity, chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity and reproductive/developmental toxicity are lacking for E141(i) and E141(ii); safety of use cannot be assessed and the existing ADI should be withdrawn (EFSA, 10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4151).
What is E141?
E141 is the E number for Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins, which our table lists as a color. Open Food Facts tags it en:e141.
Next to it on the label
The E numbers either side of E141 in our table, then the closest colors by number.
- Blue 1 (E133), low risk, flagged for young children
- Chlorophylls and chlorophyllins (E140), no risk identified
- Chlorophylls (E140i), no risk identified
- Chlorophyllins (E140ii), moderate risk
- Green S (E142), no risk identified
- Green 3 (E143), low risk, flagged for young children