Is E162 halal?

What is E162?

Beetroot red is a red-purple colour made from red beets. The beets are crushed and pressed, or soaked in water, and the juice is concentrated or dried into a powder. The main pigment is betanin, and natural beet sugars and salts may remain.

Why it's marked “Generally halal”

It is made from a common vegetable using only pressing or water extraction; the EU specification lists no alcohol solvents for it. Nothing of animal origin is involved, so it is generally treated as halal. This also makes it a useful choice if you want to avoid carmine (E120).

How to check the label

No special check is needed. If you want to avoid insect-based red colour, look for beetroot red or E162 on the label instead of carmine or E120.

Where you'll find it

• yoghurts
• ice cream
• sweets
• meat substitutes
• soups

Good to know

• EFSA's 2015 re-evaluation set no ADI but found no safety concern, since betanin intake from the additive is similar to intake from a normal diet.
• The colour breaks down with heat, so it is mostly used in chilled, frozen or briefly heated foods.
• Also called beet red or betanin.

Similar additives

• E100 Curcumin Generally halal
• E153 Vegetable carbon Generally halal
• E160b Annatto Generally halal
• E160c Paprika extract Generally halal
• E163 Anthocyanins Generally halal
• E306 Tocopherol-rich extract (vitamin E) Generally halal

See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker

This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.

Sources

1. EFSA re-evaluation of beetroot red (E 162) (2015)

Frequently asked questions