What is Amaranth (Amarant) (E 123)?
Amaranth (Amarant) is a synthetic food colorant used to give red color to foods or to restore their color. It is defined in the Turkish Food Codex with code E 123 and Color Index (CI) 16185.
Where is Amaranth (Amarant) Used?
It is used for coloring in food categories permitted by regulations. For permitted categories and maximum amounts, please refer to the table below.
Pharmaceutical / Food Industry Applications
- Lake (aluminum lake) form is used as a coating colorant in pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements (for coating tablets, dragees, capsules, and supplement products).
- Synthetic food dyes can also be used in pharmaceuticals depending on their specification. If the product specification states USP, NF, or Ph.Eur, the product's compliance with pharmaceutical standards is verified according to these standards.
- There is no ban on use in dietary supplements; it can be used within the limits established for foods.
In Which Foods and at What Levels is Amaranth (Amarant) Used? — Legal Limits (Turkish Food Codex)
E 123 Amaranth is permitted only for specific uses in regulations (aperitif wines, aromatized alcoholic beverages, and fish roe products); it is not used in general food categories. The maximum limit for aluminum derived from the aluminum lake form is 10 mg/kg (footnote 68).
| Food category | Maximum amount | Footnote |
|---|---|---|
| Aperitif wines | 30 mg/kg | — |
| Aromatized alcoholic beverages (brandy, cider, etc.) | 30 mg/kg | — |
| Americano, bitter vino | 100 mg/kg | (26)(27) |
| Bitter soda | 100 mg/kg | (28) |
| Fish roe products (excluding sturgeon caviar) | 30 mg/kg | (68) |
Note: "quantum satis" means use as required by good manufacturing practice without a specific numerical upper limit. In Group III colorants, the total amount must not exceed the combined maximum established for the group.
E-Number, Color, and Technical Specifications
- E code: E 123 · Color Index: CI 16185 · Color: red
- Forms: powder (water-soluble) and aluminum lake
Storage, Shelf Life, and Re-test Period
For our products, the recommended re-test period is 3 years; it may extend up to 5 years with some manufacturers and varies by producer. The CoA / specification document of the relevant batch shall be taken as the basis for the exact re-test date.
Technical Documents and Supply — Asuka Kimya
You can contact Asuka Kimya for SDS, TDS, CoA and pharmaceutical compliance information (USP/NF/Ph.Eur) as well as supply conditions for Amaranth (Amarant) (E 123).