YenzoWhat is E103 (alkannin)?
It is alkannin, a red pigment associated with the alkanet plant (Alkanna tinctoria), used as a colour.
E103Alkannin
E103 is alkannin, a red pigment taken from the root of the alkanet plant (Alkanna tinctoria). It is a colour rarely seen on packaged food labels today.
- Code
- E103 · INS 103
- Group
- Colour
In Vietnam✕ Not permitted in VietnamNot on Vietnam's list of permitted additives (Circular 24/2019); it may be used only in a product whose declaration is registered with the Vietnam Food Administration
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalehigh?Based on JECFA's evaluation
How E103 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, colour (103), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
colour (103)colour 103E103INS 103
Questions about alkannin
Is alkannin harmful?
In 1977 JECFA (the joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives) did not allocate an ADI for alkannin: its database records "NO ADI ALLOCATED". The database also records that the specification for this substance was withdrawn in 1984.
Is E103 permitted in Vietnam?
It was not found. Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT (consolidated text 09/VBHN-BYT), the list of additives permitted in food, has no row with INS 103, and neither does Appendix 2B.
Other colours
E100Curcuminvery lowE101Riboflavinsvery lowE102TartrazinemoderateE104Quinoline yellowmoderateE110Sunset yellow FCFmoderateE120Cochineal, carminic acid, carmineslow
See all colours →Updated 21 October 2026