Plant-based Charcoal – Bringing You a Vivid Shade of Black

Typically, brightly colored foods are more likely to stimulate appetite and increase consumer desire, making color a critical element in food industry research and packaging design. Among all the reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples, black stands out, perfectly exemplifying what it means to be a true dark horse.

Coconut ash ice cream, charcoal yogurt, black cupcakes, and black mooncakes have caught our attention, becoming trendy foods that are widely sought after. At the same time, plant-based charcoal, a previously understated natural pigment, has gained unprecedented recognition.

Plant-based charcoal is a food additive that meets national standards and is classified as a coloring agent. The maximum usage in frozen desserts (excluding edible ice), candies, cakes, and biscuits is 5g/kg.

In June 2020, the National Health Commission of China released Announcement No. 4 on its official website, confirming that the use of plant-based charcoal has been extended to compound seasonings and puffed foods.

"Activated charcoal" is a processing aid used during food production, primarily for its adsorption and decolorization properties.

Plant-based charcoal, on the other hand, is a food additive that complies with national food safety standards and serves primarily as a colorant.

However, some businesses exploit legal loopholes by claiming their products contain "food-grade activated charcoal" and touting health benefits to grab consumer attention. These claims are inappropriate, as plant-based charcoal is neither a health product nor a medication. Product names should also be standardized, such as "plant-based charcoal candy" or "plant-based charcoal mooncakes."

Many articles and consumers have raised concerns about whether products like gold leaf and burnt coconut shell ash ice cream are safe despite their high visual appeal.

Compared to other countries, China has strict regulations regarding the use and management of food additives, with clear guidelines on their usage principles and specific cases where certain additives are not allowed.

As long as plant-based charcoal is used within its legal limits as a food additive, its safety is assured.