What is E 175?

Soft-serve ice cream covered with gold leaf
Soft-serve ice cream covered with gold leaf Photo: Daderot, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

E 175 is the E number of Gold. Metallic gold used as a colour for coatings and decorations, for example on chocolates, cakes and liqueurs.

Where is E 175 most commonly used?

Gold leaf is used for decoration, for example on chocolates, cakes and desserts. Liqueurs such as Danziger Goldwasser contain small gold flakes.

What is E 175 used for?

E 175 belongs to the group "Colours" and is used as colour.

  • Colour: Colours add or restore colour in a food.

Which foods may contain E 175?

According to the European Commission's database, E 175 may be used in 3 food categories and subcategories, each only in specific products and usually with maximum levels. The categories come from these areas:

  • Confectionery
  • Beverages

Is E 175 vegan?

Usually yes: the substance is normally made from plant, mineral or synthetic raw materials or with microorganisms. In individual cases, only the manufacturer or a vegan label can give certainty.

Is E 175 linked to genetic engineering?

No typical link to genetic engineering is known for this substance: it is not usually obtained from plants for which GM varieties exist, nor produced by fermentation.

How does E 175 appear on the label?

In the list of ingredients, the substance appears with its function, followed by the E number or the name, for example "Colour: E 175" or "Colour: Gold".

Sources