Digestoa
Additive · Colour

Beetroot Red (E162)

Beetroot Red (E162) is a colour that Digestoa rates as low concern — it's considered safe at the levels used in food.

Digestoa riskNo known risk
TypeColour
Found inbrightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts

What is Beetroot Red?

Beetroot Red (E162) is a colour — added to give food a specific colour.

Is Beetroot Red bad for you?

Beetroot Red is permitted in food and Digestoa rates it as low concern. There's no strong evidence it causes harm at the levels typically used in food.

What foods contain Beetroot Red?

Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.

Digestoa's take

You don't need to avoid Beetroot Red. It's one of the more benign things on an ingredients list — worth knowing, not worth worrying about.

Safer swaps

Choose products coloured with natural extracts like beetroot (E162), paprika (E160c) or turmeric (E100).

Frequently asked questions

Is E162 the same as Beetroot Red?
Yes — E162 is the international additive (E-number) code for Beetroot Red.
Is Beetroot Red bad for you?
Digestoa rates Beetroot Red (E162) as low concern. It's permitted in food and considered safe at normal dietary levels.
What are the side effects of Beetroot Red?
No significant side effects are associated with Beetroot Red at the levels used in food.
What foods contain Beetroot Red?
Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.
How can I avoid Beetroot Red?
Check the ingredients list for "Beetroot Red" or "E162", or scan the product with Digestoa to see if it's present before you buy.

Related colour additives

Titanium dioxide (E171)Tartrazine (E102)Quinoline Yellow (E104)Sunset Yellow FCF (E110)Azorubine / Carmoisine (E122)Ponceau 4R (E124)

Risk ratings reflect Digestoa's editorial assessment synthesising EFSA/IARC opinions and peer-reviewed research. Informational only — not medical advice.