Food Safety Substance
Copper
Copper is a food additive with PUBLISHED in the EU, FDA has no questions in the US, and data from 11 regulatory sources.
CAS 7440-50-8
Indexable evidence set
FDA
FDA has no questions
ADI / TDI
EFSA ADI = 0.15 mg/kg bw/day
Codex
60 row(s)
SOURCE
D1 identity resolution
e number aliases | Food Additives | dsstox identifiers | 11 matched regulatory source group(s)
Substance Identity
Resolved identifiers used to render this food-safety record.
Substance name
Copper
CAS
7440-50-8
DTXSID
DTXSID2023985
PubChem CID
23978
Evidence tier
Indexable evidence set (16)
SOURCE
EU Commission
FDA | Health Canada | Codex Alimentarius
Multi-Jurisdiction Comparison
Side-by-side status rows for the same resolved substance across public food regulators.
| Jurisdiction | Authority | Status | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | EU Commission | PUBLISHED | EU additive listing; Annex II entry |
| United States | FDA | FDA has no questions | GRAS notice |
| Canada | Health Canada | Listed | To characterize the product |
| Codex | Codex Alimentarius | Listed | Colour |
SOURCE
EU Commission
EU Food Additives | EU Food Additives Database
EU Food Additive Status
EU Commission food-additive listing rows from eu_food_additives.
| Jurisdiction | E-number | Status | Type | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | E141 | PUBLISHED | substanceFAD | Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins | - |
SOURCE
EU Commission
EU Annex II Authorised | EU Food Additives Database
EU Annex II Authorised Uses
Authorised additive rows and use conditions from EU Annex II tables.
| Jurisdiction | E-number | Name | INS | Policy item | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | E141 | Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins | - | POL-FAD-IMPORT-3000 | - |
SOURCE
Codex Alimentarius
Codex GSFA
Codex GSFA Status
Codex Alimentarius GSFA permissions and maximum-use rows.
| Jurisdiction | INS / E-number | Function | Food category | Max level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 01.1.4 Flavoured fluid milk drinks | 50 mg/kg | Excluding chocolate milk.; Except for use in fermented milk drinks at 500 mg/kg. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 01.6.1 Unripened cheese | 50 mg/kg | Except for use in products conforming to the Group Standard for Unripened Cheese including Fresh Cheese (CXS 221-2001) at 15 mg/kg.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard... |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 01.6.2.1 Ripened cheese, includes rind | 15 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Saint-Paulin (CXS 271-1968).; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Provolone (CXS 272-1968).; Excluding products... |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 01.6.2.2 Rind of ripened cheese | 75 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 01.6.2.3 Cheese powder (for reconstitution; e.g. for cheese sauces) | 50 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 01.6.4.2 Flavoured processed cheese, including containing fruit, vegetables, meat, etc. | 50 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 01.6.5 Cheese analogues | 50 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 01.7 Dairy-based desserts (e.g. pudding, fruit or flavoured yoghurt) | 500 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 02.4 Fat-based desserts excluding dairy-based dessert products of food category 01.7 | 500 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 03.0 Edible ices, including sherbet and sorbet | 500 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.10 Fermented fruit products | 100 mg/kg | As copper. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.11 Fruit fillings for pastries | 100 mg/kg | As copper. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.12 Cooked fruit | 100 mg/kg | As copper. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.3 Fruit in vinegar, oil, or brine | 100 mg/kg | As copper. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.4 Canned or bottled (pasteurized) fruit | 100 mg/kg | As copper.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits (CODEX STAN 319-2015) except for use in special holiday packs for canned pears conforming to... |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.5 Jams, jellies, marmelades | 200 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.6 Fruit-based spreads (e.g. chutney) excluding products of food category 04.1.2.5 | 150 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Mango Chutney (CODEX STAN 160-1987). [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.7 Candied fruit | 250 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.8 Fruit preparations, including pulp, purees, fruit toppings and coconut milk | 100 mg/kg | As copper.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Date Paste (CODEX STAN 314R-2013).; Excluding coconut milk. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.1.2.9 Fruit-based desserts, including fruit-flavoured water-based desserts | 150 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.2.2.5 Vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweed, and nut and seed purees and spreads (e.g., peanut butter) | 100 mg/kg | As copper.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Processed Tomato Concentrates (CODEX STAN 57-1981). [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.2.2.6 Vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweed, and nut and seed pulps and preparations (e.g. vegetable desserts and sauces, candied vegetables) other than food category 04.2.2.5 | 100 mg/kg | As copper.; Excluding products conforming to the Codex Regional Standard for Tehena (CODEX STAN 259R-2007).; Excluding tomato-based sauces.; Excluding products conforming to the... |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.2.2.7 Fermented vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera) and seaweed products, excluding fermented soybean products of food categories 06.8.6, 06.8.7, 12.9.1, 12.9.2.1 and 12.9.2.3 | 100 mg/kg | As copper.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Gochujang (CXS 294-2009). [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 04.2.2.8 Cooked or fried vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), and seaweeds | 100 mg/kg | As copper.; Excluding products conforming to the Regional Standard for Laver Products (CXS 323R-2017). [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 05.1.3 Cocoa-based spreads, including fillings | 6 mg/kg | As copper.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cocoa Butter (CODEX STAN 86-1981). [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 05.1.4 Cocoa and chocolate products | 700 mg/kg | For use in surface decoration only. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 05.1.5 Imitation chocolate, chocolate substitute products | 700 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 05.2.1 Hard candy | 700 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 05.2.2 Soft candy | 100 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Codex Regional Standard for Halawa Tehenia (CODEX STAN 309R-211). [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 05.2.3 Nougats and marzipans | 100 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 05.3 Chewing gum | 700 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 05.4 Decorations (e.g. for fine bakery wares), toppings (non-fruit) and sweet sauces | 100 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 06.4.3 Pre-cooked pastas and noodles and like products | 100 mg/kg | For use in instant noodles only. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 06.5 Cereal and starch based desserts (e.g. rice pudding, tapioca pudding) | 75 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 06.8.1 Soybean-based beverages | 30 mg/kg | As copper.; For use only in composite/ flavoured soybean beverages and soybean-based beverages conforming to the Regional Standard for Non-Fermented Soybean Products (Asia) (CXS... |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 07.1.4 Bread-type products, including bread stuffing and bread crumbs | 6 mg/kg | As copper.; Some Codex Members allow the use of additives with sweetener and colour functions in this food category while others limit this food category to products without these... |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 07.2 Fine bakery wares (sweet, salty, savoury) and mixes | 75 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 09.2.3 Frozen minced and creamed fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 40 mg/kg | For non-standardized foods: for use in surimi and fish roe products only. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 09.2.4.1 Cooked fish and fish products | 30 mg/kg | As copper.; For non-standardized foods: for use in surimi and fish roe products only. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 09.2.4.3 Fried fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 40 mg/kg | For non-standardized foods: for use in surimi and fish roe products only. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 09.2.5 Smoked, dried, fermented, and/or salted fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 200 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Boiled Dried Salted Anchovies (CODEX STAN 236-2003).; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Salted Atlantic Herring... |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 09.3.1 Fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms, marinated and/or in jelly | 40 mg/kg | For use in glaze, coatings or decorations for fruit, vegetables, meat or fish only. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 09.3.2 Fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms, pickled and/or in brine | 40 mg/kg | For use in glaze, coatings or decorations for fruit, vegetables, meat or fish only. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 09.3.3 Salmon substitutes, caviar, and other fish roe products | 200 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Sturgeon Caviar (CODEX STAN 291-2010). [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 09.3.4 Semi-preserved fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms (e.g. fish paste), excluding products of food categories 09.3.1 - 09.3.3 | 75 mg/kg | For non-standardized foods: for use in surimi and fish roe products only. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 09.4 Fully preserved, including canned or fermented fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms | 500 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Crab Meat (CODEX STAN 90-1981).; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Canned Shrimps or Prawns (CODEX STAN... |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 10.4 Egg-based desserts (e.g. custard) | 300 mg/kg | On the dry ingredient, dry weight, dry mix or concentrate basis. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 11.4 Other sugars and syrups (e.g. xylose, maple syrup, sugar toppings) | 64 mg/kg | As copper. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 12.2.2 Seasonings and condiments | 500 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 12.4 Mustards | 500 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 12.5 Soups and broths | 400 mg/kg | For use of chlorophylls, copper complexes (INS 141(i)) only in products conforming to the Codex Standard for Bouillons and Consommés (CODEX STAN 117-1981). [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS... |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 12.6 Sauces and like products | 100 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fish Sauce (CODEX STAN 302-2011).; Except for use in products conforming to the Standard for Chili Sauce (CXS 306-2011):... |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 13.6 Food supplements | 500 mg/kg | For use in surface treatment only. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including sport, energy, or electrolyte drinks and particulated drinks | 300 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 15.1 Snacks - potato, cereal, flour or starch based (from roots and tubers, pulses and legumes) | 350 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 15.2 Processed nuts, including coated nuts and nut mixtures (with e.g. dried fruit) | 100 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(i) | Colour | 15.3 Snacks - fish based | 350 mg/kg | [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(ii) | Colour | 01.1.4 Flavoured fluid milk drinks | 50 mg/kg | Excluding chocolate milk.; Except for use in fermented milk drinks at 500 mg/kg. [Group: CHLOROPHYLLS AND CHLOROPHYLLINS] |
| Codex | 141(ii) | Colour | 01.6.1 Unripened cheese | 50 mg/kg | Except for use in products conforming to the Group Standard for Unripened Cheese including Fresh Cheese (CXS 221-2001) at 15 mg/kg.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard... |
| Codex | 141(ii) | Colour | 01.6.2.1 Ripened cheese, includes rind | 15 mg/kg | Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Saint-Paulin (CXS 271-1968).; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Provolone (CXS 272-1968).; Excluding products... |
SOURCE
FDA
FDA GRAS
FDA GRAS Status
US FDA GRAS notice evidence from enriched and notice tables.
| Jurisdiction | GRN | Substance | FDA response | Intended use | Basis | Notifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1147 | Copper(II) ion | FDA has no questions | Intended for use as an antimicrobial agent in polyolefin food packaging at a maximum level of 100 mg/m2. The packaging is intended to be used for fresh beef, fresh poultry, fresh... | Scientific procedures | Copperprotek SPA |
| United States | 1147 | Copper(II) ion | FDA has no questions (in PDF) | Intended for use as an antimicrobial agent in polyolefin food packaging at a maximum level of 100 mg/m<sup>2</sup>. The packaging is intended to be used for fresh beef, fresh... | Scientific procedures | Copperprotek SPA |
SOURCE
Health Canada
Health Canada Status
Health Canada food-additive permissions by functional class and food scope.
| Jurisdiction | Class | Permitted foods | Maximum level | List |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | To characterize the product | - | 50 ppm | List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Purposes of Use |
| Canada | Fining agent | - | (a) Good Manufacturing Practice. The copper content not to exceed 1 ppm in the finished wine. | List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Purposes of Use |
| Canada | To assist in the preservation process | - | (b) Good Manufacturing Practice. To be used in an alkaline soaking solution. The amount not to exceed 5 ppm in the edible portion of the preserved duck egg, calculated as copper. | List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Purposes of Use |
| Canada | To characterize the product | - | 700 ppm | List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Purposes of Use |
| Canada | Food Colours | (a) Apple and (naming the fruit or fruits) jam; Bread; Butter; Concentrated (naming the fruit) juice, except frozen concentrated orange juice; Fig marmalade with pectin; Fish roe (caviar); Ice cream mix; Ice milk mix;... | (a) Good Manufacturing Practice | List of Permitted Food Colours |
| Canada | Food Colours | (b) Blend of prepared fish and prepared meat as set out in paragraph 18.1.3(g) of Volume 18 of the Food Compositional Standards Document | (b) Good Manufacturing Practice | List of Permitted Food Colours |
| Canada | Food Colours | (b.1) (Naming the flavour) essence; (Naming the flavour) extract; (Naming the flavour) flavour | (b.1) Good Manufacturing Practice | List of Permitted Food Colours |
| Canada | Food Colours | (c) Unstandardized foods | (c) Good Manufacturing Practice | List of Permitted Food Colours |
SOURCE
EU Commission
EU Food Contact Materials
EU FCM Substances
EU food-contact material rows and migration-limit fields.
| Jurisdiction | FCM no. | Ref no. | Substance | Use | SML | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | 80 | 81760 | powders, flakes and fibres of brass, bronze, copper, stainless steel, tin, iron and alloys of copper, tin and iron | additive/PPA | - | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I |
| European Union | 412 | 45200 | copper iodide | additive/PPA | - | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I |
| European Union | 523 | 45195 | copper bromide | additive/PPA | - | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I |
| European Union | 972 | 45197 | copper hydroxide phosphate | additive/PPA | - | Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I |
SOURCE
JECFA
JECFA ADI
JECFA ADI Values
JECFA ADI records and evaluation years.
| Jurisdiction | Chemical name | JECFA no. | CAS | ADI | ADI upper | Function | Evaluation year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JECFA | CHLOROPHYLLS, COPPER COMPLEXES | - | 65963-40-8 | 0-15 mg/kg bw | 15 | COLOUR | 1969 |
| JECFA | CHLOROPHYLLINS, COPPER COMPLEXES, SODIUM and POTASSIUM salts | - | - | 0-15 mg/kg bw | 15 | COLOUR | 1978 |
| JECFA | POTASSIUM COPPER CHLOROPHYLLIN | - | - | no_data | - | - | 1978 |
| JECFA | COPPER PHAEOPHYTIN | - | - | no_data | - | - | 1969 |
| JECFA | COPPER SULFATE | - | - | no_data | - | - | 1973 |
| JECFA | SODIUM COPPER CHLOROPHYLLIN | - | - | no_data | - | - | 1978 |
| JECFA | COPPER | - | 7440-50-8 | no_data | - | METALS | 1982 |
| JECFA | COPPER CHLOROPHYLL | - | - | no_data | - | - | 1969 |
SOURCE
ATSDR
ATSDR MRL
ATSDR MRL Data
ATSDR minimal-risk-level rows by route and duration.
| Jurisdiction | Chemical | Route | Duration | MRL | Critical effect | Status | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | COPPER | Oral | Acute | 0.02 mg/kg/day | Gastro | Final | 2024 |
| United States | COPPER | Oral | Intermediate | 0.02 mg/kg/day | Gastro | Final | 2024 |
SOURCE
ingredients
ghs classifications
Cross-Reference to Cosmetics / Chemicals / Pharma
Same-CAS public rows from adjacent Roots verticals where available.
SOURCE
Cross-vertical comparison
ingredients | ghs classifications
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
This substance has different regulatory treatment across food, cosmetics, and industrial use.
SOURCE
FAQPage JSON-LD
public food renderer rows
Frequently Asked Questions
Food-use, safety, ADI, and cross-vertical answers mirrored into FAQPage JSON-LD.
What is Copper used for in food?
Copper appears in food-use rows as: Antioxidant cofactor; Colour; To characterize the product.
Is Copper safe?
This page does not assign a standalone safety verdict; it renders public regulatory evidence. ADI/reference value: EFSA ADI = 0.15 mg/kg bw/day. EU status evidence: PUBLISHED. US/FDA evidence: FDA has no questions.
What is the ADI for Copper?
Copper has this ADI/reference value in the food-safety tables: EFSA ADI = 0.15 mg/kg bw/day. Source: EFSA 2018.
Is Copper also used in cosmetics?
Copper has a same-CAS cosmetics cross-reference: Bronze Powder (CI 77400), EU status permitted.