ACTIVATED CARBON
Prepared at the 73rd JECFA (2010) and published in FAO JECFA Monographs 10 (2010), superseding specifications prepared at the 37th JECFA (1990) and published in the Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications, FAO JECFA Monographs 1 (2005). No ADI was established at the 31st JECFA (1987).
SYNONYMS Activated charcoal, decolourizing carbon
DEFINITION A solid, porous, carbonaceous material prepared by carbonizing and activating organic substances. The raw materials, which include sawdust, peat, lignite, coal, cellulose residues, coconut shells, petroleum coke, etc., may be carbonized and activated at high temperature with or without the addition of inorganic salts in a stream of activating gases such as steam or carbon dioxide.
Alternatively, carbonaceous matter may be treated with a chemical activating agent such as phosphoric acid or zinc chloride and the mixture carbonized at an elevated temperature, followed by removal of the chemical activating agent by water washing.
Chemical names Carbon
C.A.S. number 7440-44-0
Chemical formula C
Formula weight 12.01
DESCRIPTION Powder or granules, black, odourless
FUNCTIONAL USES Adsorbent, decolourizing agent
