Also known as: Turmeric yellow, Natural yellow 3, CI 75300
Vegan
Extracted from the rhizome of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa). Entirely plant-derived.
Ingredient Data
Vegan
E100
Turmeric yellow; Natural yellow 3; CI 75300
Extracted from the rhizome of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa). Entirely plant-derived.
Curry powder, mustard, margarine, butter-flavoured snacks, pickles, cheeses, some sweets and beverages used for yellow colouring.
No substitute needed — E100 is vegan.
One of the cleanest food colorants available. Also widely used as a dietary supplement for its anti-inflammatory properties (curcuminoids). The extract used in food colouring is far more concentrated than the spice form. Stable in acidic conditions, fades in alkaline environments and light exposure.
In depth
Curcumin is obtained from the dried rhizome of the turmeric plant, Curcuma longa, a member of the ginger family cultivated widely across South and Southeast Asia. After harvest, the rhizomes are boiled, dried, and ground into the familiar yellow-orange spice. The food colorant is a further step: ground turmeric is treated with a solvent to extract the coloring fraction, then the solvent is removed to yield an oleoresin rich in curcuminoids.
The result is far more concentrated than culinary turmeric, so only small quantities are needed to color a finished product. The principal pigment is curcumin itself, accompanied by related curcuminoids that contribute to the overall hue. Because the entire process begins and ends with plant material, no animal-derived inputs are involved at any stage. This makes E100 one of the most straightforwardly plant-based colorants on the market, in contrast to colorants such as carmine (E120), which is insect-derived.
On packaging, curcumin most often appears as the E number E100, or written out as "curcumin" or "turmeric extract" in the ingredients list. In cosmetics and some non-food contexts it may be listed under its Colour Index name, CI 75300. Older or region-specific labels sometimes use descriptive terms such as "turmeric yellow" or "natural yellow 3."
A point of possible confusion is the difference between the colorant and the spice. When turmeric is used for flavor rather than color, it may simply be listed as "turmeric" or "spices." Both origins are the same plant and both are vegan, so the distinction matters more for culinary purposes than for dietary suitability. Because E100 is plant-derived, its presence on a label is not a concern for a vegan diet.
Curcumin produces a bright yellow to orange color and is fat-soluble, which makes it well suited to products with an oil or fat component such as margarine, cheese-flavored snacks, and some sauces. It is relatively stable in acidic conditions, which is one reason it performs well in products like mustard and pickles. In more alkaline environments the color shifts and can appear more reddish-brown.
A notable limitation is its sensitivity to light: prolonged exposure causes the color to fade, so manufacturers often use it in packaging that limits light penetration or in products consumed relatively quickly. Heat stability is moderate. These properties explain why curcumin is favored in some applications and blended with or replaced by other yellow colorants where greater light or heat stability is required. Its intense staining power also means it can tint surfaces and materials it contacts.
Beyond its role as a food colorant, curcumin is widely sold as a dietary supplement, typically in capsule or extract form standardized to a defined curcuminoid content. Interest centers on its studied antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, though the strength of clinical evidence varies by condition and supplement claims are regulated differently across regions.
A practical challenge is that curcumin is poorly absorbed on its own. To address this, many formulations pair it with piperine, an extract of black pepper, or use lipid-based and other delivery systems intended to improve uptake. From a dietary standpoint, curcumin supplements are plant-derived, but the capsule shell may not be: gelatin capsules are animal-derived, whereas products using vegetable-based capsules are suitable for a vegan diet. Consumers seeking vegan supplements should therefore check the capsule material rather than the curcumin itself.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Curcumin is extracted entirely from the rhizome of the turmeric plant and contains no animal-derived ingredients. It is one of the more clearly plant-based food colorants, unlike carmine (E120), which comes from insects.
They come from the same plant but are not identical. Turmeric is the whole ground spice, while curcumin is the concentrated coloring compound extracted from it. Both are plant-derived and suitable for a vegan diet.
E100 is used as a natural yellow-to-orange food colorant. It commonly appears in curry powder, mustard, margarine, cheeses, pickles, snacks, and some sweets and drinks. It is fat-soluble and stable in acidic conditions, which suits these products.
The curcumin itself is plant-derived and vegan, but the capsule may not be. Gelatin capsules are animal-derived, so check for vegetable or plant-based capsules. Some formulations also add black pepper extract (piperine) to improve absorption, which is likewise plant-based.
Curcumin is sensitive to light and shifts color in alkaline conditions. Prolonged light exposure causes it to fade, which is why it is often used in light-protective packaging or blended with more stable colorants for certain applications.