YenzoWhat is E132 (indigotine)?
It is indigotine, also called indigo carmine, a synthetic indigo-blue colour. It is added to food to give a blue colour.
E132Indigotine (indigo carmine)
E132 is indigotine, also called indigo carmine, a synthetic indigo-blue colour. In food it gives a blue colour to sweets, jellies, drinks and cakes.
Did you know? Indigo carmine has also been assessed by EFSA as a feed additive: in 2015 EFSA concluded that it is safe for cats and dogs at levels up to 250 mg/kg complete feed and for ornamental fish up to 1 000 mg/kg (for material with at least 93% colouring matter).
- Code
- E132 · INS 132
- Group
- Colour
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalelow?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E132 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, colour (132), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
colour (132)colour 132E132INS 132On Vietnamese labels: Indigotin (Indigocarmin)
Indigotine in food
Non-alcoholic drinksHard and soft candyChewing gumEdible ices and fruit ice creamBaked goodsPotato and cereal snacksDipping sauces and saucesSoup and broth cubes
Questions about indigotine
Is indigotine harmful?
EFSA confirmed the ADI of 5 mg/kg body weight per day for indigo carmine (E 132) in its 2014 re-evaluation, in line with the level JECFA set in 1975. In 2023, after receiving more data on quality and a 56-day study, EFSA confirmed this ADI again for the disodium salts of indigo carmine meeting the revised specification (at least 85% colouring matter) and concluded there is no safety concern at the reported use levels.
Is E132 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Indigotine (Indigocarmine) (INS 132) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function colour.
Other colours
E127ErythrosinemoderateE128Red 2GhighE129Allura red ACmoderateE130Indanthrene blue RShighE131Patent blue VlowE133Brilliant blue FCFlow
See all colours →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e132)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2A: nhóm thực phẩm được phép dùng INS 132
- EFSA Journal (2015). Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of indigo carmine (E 132) for cats and dogs and ornamental fish
- EFSA Journal (2023). Follow-up of the re-evaluation of indigo carmine (E 132) as a food additive