food colors

E162 — Beetroot Red

Purple-red food coloring

Also known as: Betanin · Beetroot Red · Beet Juice Concentrate

Verification required

Verify — Mushbooh

Source-dependent and requires verification. This additive may be derived from either halal (plant/synthetic) or haraam (animal) sources. Always check the product label or contact the manufacturer to verify the source.

Function Purple-red food coloring
Found in ice cream, yogurt & more
Source red beetroot (plant)

Is E162 (Beetroot Red) halal?

E162 (Beetroot Red) is Halal. It is derived from red beetroot — a plant source — and commercially extracted with water. No animal-derived ingredients are involved.

Checking this in a shop right now?

Vegan / vegetarian label on pack → plant-based source → safe for this code

HFA / HMC / IFANCA / JAKIM logo → independently certified → safe

Neither? Follow the steps below.

School of Thought Breakdown

Hanafi

Verify source

Maliki

May permit

Shafi'i

Avoid if animal

Hanbali

Avoid if animal

Plant-derived. Halal if extracted with water. Mushbooh if alcohol-based solvents used. Most commercial production uses water extraction - generally considered halal.

What to do with this product

Follow these steps in order — most products resolve at step 1 or 2

1

Check for a "suitable for vegans" or "suitable for vegetarians" claim

If present, E162 comes from a plant-based source — safe for this code. Still check all other ingredients too.

Vegan / vegetarian claim = plant-sourced = safe
2

Look for a halal certification logo on the pack

An HFA, HMC, IFANCA, JAKIM, or ESMA logo means the source has been independently audited. The E-code is confirmed halal in this product.

Certified logo = independently verified

Neither? Here's what to do next:

📍 In store

Put it back and look for a certified alternative on the same shelf.

Check for products carrying an HFA, HMC, or IFANCA logo, or labelled "suitable for vegans". Either confirms a safe source.

Did you find a certified alternative?

🌐 Shopping online

Verified halal alternatives:

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Background & Details

About E162

Color beetroot red is a food dye extracted from beet or beet juice. Its Halal status is depend upon extracting chemicals and solvents used in its liquid form.. Halal if used as 100% dry color. If used as liquid color, the solvent has to be Halal

Verification Required

This additive's halal status depends on its source. Check the product label for a halal certification mark, or contact the manufacturer directly.

What is E162 made from?

  • red beetroot (plant)

Found in products

Innocent smoothies (pink/berry varieties) Some Alpro yogurt alternatives Ribena (some berry varieties) Ben & Jerry's (some flavours) Hartley's Seedless Raspberry Jam

⚠️ Product formulations change. Always verify by checking the current ingredient list on the packaging.

Foods that commonly contain E162

Food Category Guide

E162 is common in ice cream — see the full halal guide →

Always check the ingredient label on the specific product - manufacturers may change formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is E162 (Beetroot Red / Betanin) halal?

E162 (Beetroot Red) is Halal. It is derived from red beetroot — a plant source — and commercially extracted with water. No animal-derived ingredients are involved.

What is E162 used for?

E162 is used as a purple-red food coloring in food products.

What foods contain E162?

E162 (Beetroot Red / Betanin) is commonly found in: ice cream, yogurt, soups, sauces, confectionery, cereals.

What is E162 made from?

E162 can be derived from the following sources: red beetroot (plant).

What are the other names for E162?

E162 may appear on food labels as: Betanin, Beetroot Red, Beet Juice Concentrate.

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Commonly appears with

These E-codes often appear on the same food label — check them too.

This information is for educational purposes only. For religious rulings, consult a qualified Islamic scholar or halal certification authority. E-code classifications may vary by source, manufacturing process, and school of thought.