Colours & Colouring Foods

Copper Chlorophyllin

Copper Chlorophyllin is an industrial green food colour selected for visual identity, green shade development, colour restoration and batch-to-batch colour standardisation in suitable food and beverage systems. For food manufacturers, the most important purchasing variables are chemical identity, INS/E number, solubility, shade strength, pH behavior, heat exposure, matrix compatibility, documentation and destination-market compliance.

Copper Chlorophyllin green food colour food additive ingredient illustration

Product identity

ProductCopper Chlorophyllin
Common commercial namesSodium Copper Chlorophyllin, Potassium Copper Chlorophyllin, Natural Green 3
CategoryColours & Colouring Foods
FunctionFood colour / green shade standardisation ingredient
E / INS numberE141 / INS 141(ii), subject to local classification and permitted-use rules
Related additive familyChlorophylls and chlorophyllins, copper complexes
CAS / identity11006-34-1
Typical colourGreen to bluish-green; final shade depends on grade, dosage, pH and matrix
Typical formPowder, granule, liquid solution, dispersion or application-specific blend
Industrial purchasing basisColour strength, assay, copper content basis where applicable, moisture, microbiology, particle size, solubility and regulatory documents

Application fit

Copper Chlorophyllin is normally evaluated where a stable green visual profile is required and the formulation can support the selected grade. Typical application discussions may include:

  • Water-based flavoured beverages, concentrates and syrups
  • Confectionery, hard candy, soft candy and chewing gum systems
  • Dairy desserts, plant-based desserts, puddings and creams
  • Sauces, seasonings, condiments, dressings and savoury preparations
  • Bakery fillings, decorations, coatings and dry mixes
  • Snacks, instant noodles, dry seasonings and composite food systems
  • Vegetable, seaweed, fruit or herb-flavoured products requiring green shade correction

Technical overview for manufacturers

Copper Chlorophyllin is used when a manufacturer needs a controlled green colour with better process consistency than many untreated plant pigment systems. It is especially relevant when natural visual identity, green flavour cues or vegetable/herbal positioning are part of the product design. The additive should be evaluated through pilot trials because colour performance depends strongly on the base formulation, pH, water activity, heat process, packaging transparency, oxygen exposure and storage temperature.

Industrial note: the same product name can represent different commercial grades. A powder for dry blending, a liquid solution for beverage dosing and a dispersion for fat-containing systems may behave differently in solubility, shade, dusting, dosage accuracy, filtration, sedimentation and shelf stability.

Functional value in food systems

Colour standardisation

Supports consistent green shade from batch to batch where raw materials, fruit preparations, botanical ingredients or thermal processing create natural colour variation.

Visual identity

Helps create recognisable green cues for mint, lime, pistachio, matcha-style, herb, vegetable, seaweed or functional beverage concepts, subject to regulatory and label review.

Process correction

Can be evaluated for colour restoration or shade correction after pasteurisation, drying, mixing, dilution, pH adjustment or long distribution periods.

Manufacturing efficiency

Application-specific grades may improve dosing accuracy, reduce colour rework, simplify inventory control and support more predictable production scale-up.

Grade selection guidance

Manufacturing need Grade point to confirm Why it matters
Clear or lightly cloudy beverages Water solubility, filtration behavior, haze and sediment control Prevents visible particles, ringing, precipitation and colour loss during storage.
Dry mixes, seasonings and instant powders Particle size, dusting, carrier system, flowability and blending uniformity Improves homogeneous distribution and reduces speckling or colour hotspots.
Confectionery and syrups Heat exposure, sugar concentration, pH and dosage strength Supports shade consistency during cooking, cooling and depositing.
Dairy or plant-based desserts Protein interaction, pH, heat treatment and homogenisation stability Helps avoid dull shade, separation, surface migration or uneven colour.
Coatings, fillings and compound systems Water phase, fat phase, emulsifier system and dispersion format Ensures the selected grade is compatible with the dominant phase of the product.
Export production Destination-market additive status, label name, maximum level and documentation Prevents regulatory mismatch between formulation, product category and country of sale.

Processing and formulation considerations

Quality parameters to compare

For industrial purchasing, the lowest price per kilogram is not always the lowest cost in use. Buyers should compare the active colour strength, shade, solubility, consistency and documentation package across suppliers.

Parameter What to request
Identity and grade Exact product name, additive identity, INS/E number reference, CAS or specification identity and intended food-grade status.
Assay / colour strength Supplier specification method, target range, test method reference and comparison against current approved material.
Shade profile Application sample, colour value data where available and performance in the buyer’s real matrix.
Physical properties Appearance, particle size, moisture, bulk density, solubility, dispersibility and flow behavior.
Purity and contaminants Heavy metals, residual solvents where applicable, microbiology and any destination-specific contaminant limits.
Stability Shelf life, recommended storage, light protection, temperature limits and opened-pack handling guidance.
Compliance documents Food-grade declaration, allergen statement, GMO status, vegan/vegetarian status, halal/kosher certificates if required and market-specific statements.

Application development checklist

  1. Define the target shade using a physical benchmark, Pantone-style reference, L*a*b* value or approved finished product sample.
  2. Confirm whether the formulation is water-based, fat-containing, emulsified, dry, acidic, neutral, heated, frozen or shelf-stable.
  3. Request at least one standard grade and one application-optimised grade when the project is technically demanding.
  4. Prepare a stock solution or premix according to supplier instructions and record mixing time, temperature, pH and order of addition.
  5. Evaluate shade immediately after production and after accelerated storage, light exposure, refrigeration, freezing or ambient storage as relevant.
  6. Check finished product label declaration and permitted use level before scale-up or customer presentation.
  7. Approve the grade only after pilot production confirms processing behavior, cleaning impact, packaging compatibility and final shelf-life colour.

Documents to request

Packaging, storage and logistics

Copper Chlorophyllin grades are commonly supplied in sealed food-grade bags, fibre drums, cartons, plastic containers, jerry cans or pails depending on physical form and supplier capability. Industrial buyers should request packaging that supports moisture protection, light protection, clean handling, traceability and warehouse compatibility.

Powder handling

Confirm dusting tendency, bag weight, inner liner, resealability, powder flow, electrostatic behavior and compatibility with manual or automated dosing equipment.

Liquid handling

Confirm concentration, viscosity, preservative system if any, pumpability, freeze sensitivity, sedimentation tendency and recommended mixing before use.

Warehouse control

Store tightly closed in a cool, dry, clean and light-protected area, away from strong odours and incompatible materials. Follow supplier storage instructions.

Export readiness

Request HS code guidance, shelf-life remaining at shipment, batch traceability, certificate package, packing list and country-specific documents before dispatch.

How Global Food Additives supports sourcing

Global Food Additives, Inc. helps food manufacturers compare Copper Chlorophyllin options according to target application, grade, documentation, lead time, packaging and destination country. For technical sourcing projects, our team can coordinate supplier communication, collect required documents, arrange sample discussions and support quotation comparison against your reference specification.

Important: product availability, permitted use, claims, maximum levels and label declaration depend on supplier, grade, origin, destination market, food category and customer responsibility. The buyer should verify regulatory status and final suitability for the intended application before commercial use.

How to request this product

Send the product name, target grade, current specification if available, required quantity, destination country, application type, target dosage, packaging preference, expected shipment date and documentation requirements. If you already purchase Copper Chlorophyllin, attach your existing specification, certificate of analysis, product label or benchmark sample description so supplier options can be compared more accurately.

Best inquiry information Example details to include
Application Beverage, confectionery, sauce, dairy dessert, dry mix, seasoning, coating, filling or other finished product.
Technical target Required shade, solubility, powder or liquid preference, pH, heat process and shelf-life expectations.
Commercial details Annual volume, first order quantity, sample requirement, destination port or country and delivery term.
Documentation Specification, COA, SDS, halal, kosher, allergen, GMO, origin, regulatory statement and packaging documents.
Questions

Useful answers

What is Copper Chlorophyllin used for in food manufacturing?

Copper Chlorophyllin is used for green colour development, shade standardisation, visual identity and colour correction in suitable food systems. It is most valuable when the manufacturer needs a controlled green appearance and can verify regulatory permission for the destination market.

Is Copper Chlorophyllin suitable for beverages?

It can be evaluated for beverage systems, but the grade must be selected carefully. Confirm water solubility, pH behavior, clarity, filtration performance, light stability, sedimentation and interaction with acids, minerals, flavours, vitamins and preservatives.

Can one grade be used in every application?

No. Powder, liquid, water-soluble, water-dispersible and custom-blended grades may perform differently. A dry seasoning, acidic drink, sugar confectionery and dairy dessert may require different grade selection and different dosing procedures.

Which documents should be requested?

Buyers should request a product specification, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet where applicable, shelf-life and storage statement, origin information, allergen and GMO statements, regulatory status, label guidance and packaging details.

What should be checked during trials?

Check colour strength, shade, pH stability, heat stability, light stability, sedimentation, solubility, filtration, flavour neutrality, compatibility with the formula and colour retention throughout the intended shelf life.

Is this product permitted in every country?

No. Food additive use depends on destination-market regulations, food category, use level, additive identity and label requirements. Buyers are responsible for confirming final compliance before production and sale.

Request a quotation

Tell us which Copper Chlorophyllin grade or food colour solution you need.

Send product name, target grade, application, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, delivery term and required documents. Our team will review your inquiry and respond from orders@foodgradeadditives.com.

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