What is Red Cabbage Powder (E163)

Red Cabbage Powder (E163) is a natural food colorant derived from the leaves of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra). Rich in anthocyanins, it provides vibrant shades of red, purple, and blue depending on the pH of the food system. As consumer demand for clean-label ingredients continues to grow, Red Cabbage Powder has become a preferred alternative to synthetic food colorings in the food, beverage, and nutraceutical industries.

Main Functions of Red Cabbage Powder (E163)

Red Cabbage Powder offers several functional benefits beyond simply adding color to food products.

1. Natural Food Coloring

Provides attractive red, purple, violet, and blue hues without the use of artificial dyes.

2. Clean-Label Ingredient

Supports product formulations that use recognizable, plant-derived ingredients preferred by today's consumers.

3. pH-Sensitive Colorant

Changes color depending on acidity, making it useful for innovative food and beverage applications.

4. Antioxidant Source

Contains naturally occurring anthocyanins, which possess antioxidant properties.

5. Plant-Based Ingredient

Suitable for vegan, vegetarian, halal, and kosher products (subject to certification).

6. Water-Soluble Color

Easily disperses in aqueous food systems for uniform coloring.

Benefits of Red Cabbage Powder

 100% natural plant-derived colorant

 Free from synthetic dyes

 Excellent clean-label appeal

 Rich in anthocyanins

 Water soluble

 Suitable for a wide range of food applications

 Vegan and vegetarian friendly

 Easy to incorporate into food formulations

 Helps brands meet consumer demand for natural ingredients

 Available in different color strengths depending on formulation

Product Specifications

The following specifications are typical values. Actual specifications may vary by manufacturer.

Parameter	Specification
Product Name	Red Cabbage Powder
Food Additive Code	E163
Botanical Name	Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra
Plant Part Used	Leaf
Appearance	Fine purple to reddish-purple powder
Color	Purple, reddish-purple
Odor	Mild, characteristic
Taste	Mild vegetable taste
Solubility	Water soluble
Moisture	≤ 8%
Particle Size	80–100 mesh
Anthocyanin Content	5–25% (depending on grade)
Loss on Drying	≤ 8%
Ash	≤ 10%
pH Stability	Best under acidic to neutral conditions
Heavy Metals	Complies with food regulations
Lead	≤ 2 ppm
Arsenic	≤ 1 ppm
Cadmium	≤ 1 ppm
Mercury	≤ 0.1 ppm
Total Plate Count	≤ 10,000 CFU/g
Yeast & Mold	≤ 100 CFU/g
E. coli	Negative
Salmonella	Negative in 25 g
Shelf Life	24 months
Storage	Cool, dry place away from sunlight
Packaging	1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg food-grade packaging

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Applications

Red Cabbage Powder is widely used in various industries.

Food & Beverage

 Fruit juices

 Soft drinks

 Sports drinks

 Tea beverages

 Dairy drinks

 Yogurt

 Ice cream

 Cheese products

 Bakery products

 Cakes

 Frostings

 Cookies

 Macarons

 Chocolate decorations

 Confectionery

 Gummies

 Hard candies

 Marshmallows

 Jellies

 Fruit fillings

 Jam

Nutraceutical Industry

 Dietary supplements

 Functional foods

 Powder drink mixes

 Meal replacement powders

Plant-Based Foods

 Vegan desserts

 Plant-based beverages

 Alternative dairy products

Recommended Formulations

The appropriate dosage depends on the desired color intensity and product type.

Product	Recommended Dosage
Fruit Juice	0.02–0.08%
Soft Drinks	0.02–0.06%
Sports Drinks	0.02–0.05%
Yogurt	0.03–0.10%
Ice Cream	0.03–0.10%
Gummies	0.05–0.30%
Hard Candy	0.05–0.25%
Jelly	0.05–0.20%
Bakery Products	0.03–0.15%
Frostings	0.05–0.20%
Nutritional Powders	0.02–0.10%

Note: Actual usage levels should be optimized through formulation trials based on the product's pH, processing conditions, and desired color intensity.

OEM & Private Label Manufacturing Services

Many ingredient manufacturers offer comprehensive OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and Private Label services for Red Cabbage Powder to help businesses launch customized products efficiently.

Typical OEM services include:

Custom Formulation

 Customized anthocyanin concentration

 Tailored color intensity

 Application-specific formulations

 Blended natural color systems

Packaging Options

 100 g retail pouches

 250 g and 500 g packs

 1 kg foil bags

 5 kg bags

 10 kg cartons

 25 kg fiber drums or food-grade bags

 Custom private-label packaging

Private Label Services

 Custom brand logo and packaging design

 Product labeling compliant with target markets

 Multilingual labels

 Barcode printing

 Batch coding and traceability

Quality Assurance

 GMP manufacturing

 HACCP-compliant production

 ISO-certified facilities

 Third-party laboratory testing

 Certificate of Analysis (COA)

 Microbiological testing

 Heavy metal testing

Documentation Support

· Product Specification Sheet

 Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

 Safety Data Sheet (SDS), if applicable

 Certificate of Analysis (COA)

 Allergen Statement

 Non-GMO Statement (where applicable)

 Halal and Kosher certificates (if certified)

Storage and Handling

To maintain product quality:

 Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place.

 Keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity.

 Reseal packaging immediately after opening.

 Avoid prolonged exposure to air, heat, and moisture.

 Use clean, dry utensils during handling.

Conclusion

Red Cabbage Powder (E163) is a versatile, plant-based food colorant that provides vibrant natural shades while supporting the growing demand for clean-label products. Its anthocyanin-rich composition, water solubility, and broad application range make it an excellent choice for beverages, confectionery, dairy, bakery, and nutraceutical formulations. In addition to its coloring capability, it offers the advantages of being vegan-friendly, naturally derived, and suitable for a variety of product innovations. With customizable formulations, comprehensive OEM and private-label services, and adherence to international quality standards, Red Cabbage Powder is an ideal ingredient for brands looking to develop high-quality, naturally colored food and beverage products.

Partner with Yangge for Premium Natural Colorant Solutions

You can trust Yangge Biotech as your Red Cabbage Powder E163 source because they have the technical know-how, use safe sourcing methods, and make sure the quality is top-notch. Our GMP-certified factories make sure that every batch has the same amount of anthocyanin and is stable. This is backed up by full legal paperwork that includes ISO, HACCP, Kosher, and Halal certifications. We keep a lot of items in stock so that orders can be filled quickly, and our minimum orders start at just 1 kg for recipe development. Send an email to info@yanggebiotech.com today to get a free sample and see for yourself why Yangge is the chosen Red Cabbage Powder E163 maker for many high-end brands around the world. During product development, our customer service team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will help you make sure that your clean-label ideas hit the market with trust in the performance of their ingredients and the stability of their supply.

FAQ

Q: Can we get some samples to test before purchasing?

A: Of course, we can provide free samples of 20 to 100 grams, but the shipping cost is at the customer's expense. The shipping cost can be deducted from the next order, or the samples can be sent through your courier account.

Q: Do your products have relevant certifications?

A: Yes, our products are certified for HALAL, ISO, HACCP, Kosher, and other certifications.

Q: What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

A: Small batches of samples can be customized according to your requirements.

Q: Do you offer OEM and ODM services? Can the formula be customized based on our own?

A: Of course, we provide ODM and OEM services to many customers. Our product range includes softgels, capsules, tablets, sachets, granules, and private label services. Simply contact us and let us know your requirements. Our experienced R&D team can also develop new products with specific formulas.

Please contact us to design your own branded products.

Q: How do you handle quality complaints?

A: First, we have a comprehensive quality control SOP. We provide authoritative third-party inspection reports for almost all products before shipment to minimize the possibility of quality issues. Second, we have a comprehensive return and exchange procedure. If there is a genuine quality dispute, we will strictly follow the SOP.

Q: How do you ship? How long does delivery take?

A: For small orders, we typically use DHL, UPS, EMS, FedEx, or TNT. Delivery typically takes 3-7 days. We also offer air and sea freight services. We have a strong freight forwarding team and can provide you with a one-stop service, including DDP and DDU.

Q: What are your payment terms?

A: 100% prepayment, payable by T/T, Western Union, MoneyGram, or PayPal.

Q: What is the shelf life of your products?

A: 2 years with proper storage.

 

References

1. Rodriguez-Amaya, D.B. (2019). Natural Food Pigments and Colorants. Current Opinion in Food Science, Volume 7, Pages 20-26.

2. Jackman, R.L. and Smith, J.L. (2018). Anthocyanins and Betalains: Chemistry and Applications in Food Processing. Handbook of Natural Colorants, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons.

3. Giusti, M.M. and Wrolstad, R.E. (2021). Acylated Anthocyanins from Edible Sources and Their Applications in Food Systems. Annual Review of Food Science and Technology, Volume 12, Pages 327-353.

4. Sigurdson, G.T., Tang, P., and Giusti, M.M. (2017). Natural Colorants: Food Colorants from Natural Sources. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, Volume 16, Issue 1, Pages 180-198.

5. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (2020). Scientific Opinion on the Re-evaluation of Anthocyanins (E163) as Food Additives. EFSA Journal, Volume 18, Issue 11.

6. Gould, K., Davies, K.M., and Winefield, C. (2018). Anthocyanins: Biosynthesis, Functions, and Applications. Springer Science & Business Media, Plant Biology Series.