Beetroot red
Natural beet pigment.
- Category
- Colours
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
Beetroot Red (E162) is a natural red to pink food colouring. Its active pigment is betanin, which is exactly the same pigment that gives beetroot its deep red colour.
How it is used in food
Natural red alternative.
Commonly found in- Strawberry and raspberry flavored yoghurts
- Ice creams and sorbets
- Pink candies and desserts
- Plant-based meats (to mimic a raw, red appearance)
Health and safety
None known; main "side effect" is red urine (beeturia).
E162 is exceptionally safe. It is literally just concentrated beetroot juice. The only known "side effect" is beeturia—where consuming large amounts can harmlessly turn your urine pink or red.
Harmless pink urine (Beeturia)
Consuming high amounts can cause urine to turn pink or red. This is harmless and passes quickly.
Considered extremely safe.
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 | Approved and exempt from certification (listed as Beet powder/juice). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E162
Also printed asBeet powder · Betanin
How it is made
It is simply extracted from red beet juice and concentrated.
- Extraction — Beetroots are pressed for their juice, and the betanin pigment is concentrated.
Worth knowing
It is betanin, squeezed directly from beetroots.
Conclusion
As a completely natural, plant-based colour, Beetroot Red is the ultimate clean-label alternative to controversial synthetic red dyes like Allura Red (E129) and animal-based dyes like Carmine (E120).
References
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