Riboflavin
Vitamin B2 used as color.
- Category
- Colours
- Vegan
- maybe
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
Riboflavin (E101) is Vitamin B2. Aside from being an essential human nutrient, it naturally possesses a bright, fluorescent yellow-orange color, making it an excellent natural food dye.
How it is used in food
Acts as both a colorant and a vitamin (Vitamin B2).
Commonly found in- Breakfast cereals (as both color and fortification)
- Energy drinks and vitamin waters
- Sauces and processed cheeses
Health and safety
None known.
Widely recognized as safe and essential for human health.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Permitted | Authorised for food use under EU regulations (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | GRAS. |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E101
Also printed asLactoflavin · Vitamin B2
Alternatives to this additive
- E100: Curcumin — A plant-based natural yellow, though it lacks the nutritional benefit of Vitamin B2.
How it is made
While it can be synthesized chemically, almost all commercial E101 is produced naturally via fermentation by bacteria or fungi (like Bacillus subtilis).
- Fermentation — Produced via fermentation by specialized fungi or bacteria.
- Purification — The riboflavin is crystallized and separated from the fermentation broth.
Worth knowing
It is the same riboflavin your body uses to convert food into energy.
Conclusion
Seeing E101 on an ingredient label is actually a positive sign. It is a completely harmless, beneficial nutrient being used creatively to avoid synthetic chemical dyes.
References
- EFSA evaluation of E101 — EFSA
- EFSA re-evaluation of riboflavin — EFSA
Is it in what you are buying?
ScanWise reads the barcode and tells you which additives a product actually contains, and what they do to its score.
Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
← All additives