Food additive databasecolorChecked 2026-10-02

Carob Germ Color カロブ色素

Existing food additiveNot on the EU additive list

Purpose: color
On the label: “カロブ色素” (carob germ color), “フラボノイド色素” (flavonoid color), “着色料（カロブ）” (coloring (carob)), “着色料（カロブジャーム）” (coloring (carob germ)), “着色料（フラボノイド）” (coloring (flavonoid))
Name in the List of Existing Food Additives: カロブ色素 (No. 70)
Source and production: Obtained by crushing the germ of the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua). May contain dextrin or lactose (as defined in the specifications and standards).

In Japan

A coloring obtained by crushing the germ of carob seeds. Its purpose in the List of Existing Food Additives is coloring and manufacturing agent. Under the standard common to natural colorings, it cannot be used in kelp, meat, fresh fish and shellfish, tea, laver, beans, vegetables, or wakame seaweed.
Because it is a coloring, the purpose name must be shown alongside. If written as “カロブ色素” (carob germ color) or “フラボノイド色素” (flavonoid color), the word “色” (color) is included, so “着色料” (coloring) can be omitted. When the short names “カロブ”, “カロブジャーム”, or “フラボノイド” are used, it is written like “着色料（カロブ）” (coloring (carob)) (Food Labeling Standards).

Japan's standards for use

Standard for colorings (excluding chemically synthesized products): must not be used in kelp (kombu), meat, fresh fish and shellfish (including whale meat), tea, laver (nori), beans, vegetables, or wakame seaweed

This is a summary of the standards for use. See the source list for the exact conditions.

In the EU

It is not on the EU list of food additives (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II), so it cannot be used as a food additive in the EU.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-02. Rules and evaluations change over time. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.

This page lists facts stated in laws and in evaluations by public bodies; it is not a safety verdict. Additives used in Japan are approved by the government, which sets the foods and amounts they can be used in. The ADI is a guide to the amount that is considered safe to take every day over a lifetime.

Other substances used as color

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