VEGETABLE CARBON
Prepared at the 37th JECFA (1990), published in FNP 52 (1992). Metals and arsenic specifications revised at the 59th JECFA (2002). No ADI was
allocated at the 31st JECFA (1987)
SYNONYMS Vegetable black, INS No. 153
DEFINITION Produced by the carbonization of vegetable material such as wood, cellulose residues, peat and coconut and other shells; the raw material is carbonized at high temperatures; consists essentially of finely divided carbon; may contain minor amounts of nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen.
Some moisture may be absorbed on the product after manufacture. It may be activated at high temperature in presence of steam or carbon dioxide.
Chemical names Carbon
Chemical formula C
Formula weight 12.01
Assay Not less than 95% calculated on a dried and ash-free basis
DESCRIPTION Black, odourless powder
FUNCTIONAL USES Colour
