What is E175?
Complete guide to understanding E175 (Gold) – the precious metal food colorant for luxury decoration
The Quick Answer
E175 is elemental gold in leaf, dust, or flake form—a precious metal used exclusively as a decorative food colorant to impart a luxurious golden appearance to gourmet foods. It is applied only to food surfaces (confectionery, cakes, liqueurs, beverages) for aesthetic purposes. E175 is one of the safest food additives approved for human consumption.
E175 is chemically inert—meaning it passes through the digestive system completely unchanged, without being absorbed or causing any physiological effects. It is approved in the EU, USA, and most other regulatory jurisdictions. Unlike its metallic counterpart E174 (silver), E175 has not raised significant safety concerns and maintains strong regulatory support. The main constraints on E175 use are practical (cost and aesthetic, since gold is a precious metal) rather than safety-based.
E175 must be at least 22 carats pure (minimum 91.7% gold) to be approved for food use, ensuring that any potential impurities are minimized. Edible gold produced by reputable manufacturers typically contains 23-24 carat gold (highest purity).
📌 Quick Facts
- Chemical: Elemental gold (Au); precious metal, element 79 on periodic table
- Also known as: Gold, edible gold, gold leaf, gold dust, gold flakes, vark (Indian culinary term)
- Atomic number: 79
- Atomic weight: 196.97 g/mol
- CAS number: 7440-57-5
- EC number: 231-165-9
- Physical form: Extremely thin sheets (gold leaf ~1/8000 mm thick), flakes, or fine powder
- Source: Naturally occurring precious metal; mined and refined/processed for food use
- Food use: Surface decoration/coating ONLY; purely decorative (no functional purpose)
- Color provided: Gold/yellow metallic appearance; luxurious, elegant sheen
- Key properties: Metallic colorant, chemically inert (biologically inactive), insoluble in water, non-toxic, does not oxidize
- Approved uses: Confectionery, dragées, cakes, alcoholic beverages (spirits, champagne, liqueurs), desserts, garnishes, luxury foods
- Safety status: EU-approved; FDA-approved; universally recognized as safe
- Purity requirement: Minimum 22 carats (91.7% pure gold) for food use; commercial products typically 23-24 carats
- ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake): No specific limit needed; E175 is biologically inert and not absorbed
- Bioavailability: Zero—gold passes through digestive system unchanged; not absorbed into bloodstream
- Exposure assessment (EFSA 2016): Maximum exposure estimated at 1.32 µg/kg body weight per day
- Health effects: No adverse health effects known; completely non-toxic
- Taste/flavor: Tasteless, odorless, completely undetectable on palate
- Allergen status: No allergens; suitable for all dietary restrictions
- Dietary restrictions: Vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal-approved (though some Islamic scholars debate precious metals in food based on religious rather than safety grounds)
- History: Used in cuisine for 5000+ years; ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Indians, Japanese used edible gold
- Regulatory trajectory: Stable; no safety concerns identified; continuing approval expected
What Exactly Is It?
E175 is elemental gold (Au)—the 79th element on the periodic table, a precious metal of exceptional inertness, mined from ore and refined to high purity for food-grade use. It is not a chemical compound but a pure element. When applied to food, the gold particles reflect light, creating a shimmering, luxurious golden appearance.
Think of E175 as extremely thin sheets or fine powder of the same gold used in jewelry and coins—but refined specifically for food use and processed into edible forms. Gold leaf, for example, is hammered so thin (approximately 1/8000 of a millimeter) that it becomes virtually weightless and imperceptible on the palate.
Key characteristic: E175 is chemically and biologically inert. It does not react with other substances, is not absorbed by the digestive system, passes through the body completely unchanged, and is eliminated unchanged in feces. This makes E175 one of the safest food additives—there are no metabolic interactions or absorption concerns.
Chemical identity:
• Element: Gold (Au); atomic number 79
• Atomic weight: 196.97 g/mol
• Electron configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s¹
• Crystal structure: Face-centered cubic (FCC) metallic lattice
• Naturally occurring: Element; found in nature; one of the most precious metals
• Physical properties: Highest malleability of all metals; extremely ductile; brilliant luster; extremely resistant to corrosion
• Reactivity: Highly unreactive; does not oxidize or corrode even in moist air (hence “noble metal” classification)
• Density: 19.3 g/cm³ (very dense, despite extreme thinness of gold leaf)
How it’s sourced/made:
E175 is produced from natural ore:
• Primary source: Gold ore; mined from deposits worldwide
• Extraction process: Ore processed through gravity separation, flotation, and cyanidation to extract gold
• Refining: Gold refined to high purity (typically >99.9%) through electrolysis or chemical purification
• Processing for food use: Pure gold either hammered/rolled into extremely thin sheets (gold leaf) or ground/atomized into powder/flakes
• Purity requirement: Minimum 22 carats (91.7% gold) for food use; commercial edible gold typically 23K or 24K (99.9% pure)
• Food-grade specification: Processed to remove impurities and ensure no contamination; often FSSC 22000 certified
• Natural material: E175 is a naturally occurring element; not synthetically manufactured but extracted and refined
Where You’ll Find It
E175 appears in premium and luxury foods exclusively for surface decoration:
Primary Food Applications (All Decorative):
• Confectionery and dragées (PRIMARY USE) – luxury candies, decorative chocolates, sugar-coated almonds, gourmet sweets with gold coating
• Cakes and desserts (PRIMARY USE) – premium cakes, wedding cakes, anniversary cakes, gourmet pastries with gold leaf/dust decoration
• Alcoholic beverages (COMMON USE) – premium spirits (vodka, whiskey, liqueurs), champagne, prosecco with decorative gold flakes/particles
• Tea and coffee beverages – luxury tea blends, premium coffee drinks with gold dust
• Dessert garnishes – ice cream, yogurt, mousse, and other desserts with gold leaf/dust topping
• Specialty foods – sushi (gold on rolls), caviar dishes, gourmet preparations with gold garnish
Regulatory scope (approved, strictly decorative): EU Authorization—E175 approved for surface coating of foods; “quantum satis” use (as much as needed, limited by functional needs). FDA (USA)—Approved as exempt colorant for foods.
Application scope: E175 is restricted to surface decoration only—never used for coloring food interiors. Use is confined to premium/luxury foods due to cost.
✓ SAFETY CONFIRMATION (EFSA 2016):
The EFSA published a comprehensive re-evaluation of E175 in 2016. Key conclusion: Gold (E175) is safe for food use.
Findings:
• Chemically inert: Gold does not react with other substances or body tissues
• Not absorbed: Gold passes through digestive system completely unchanged
• Not accumulated: No bioaccumulation in body tissues
• No toxic effects: No adverse health effects at food use levels
• No genotoxicity: No evidence of genetic damage
• No carcinogenicity: No cancer risk
• No reproductive effects: No effects on fertility or development
• Exposure assessment: Maximum exposure 1.32 µg/kg body weight per day (extremely minimal)
Conclusion: E175 approved for continued use with no safety concerns identified.
Why Do Food Companies Use It?
E175’s sole function is providing a luxurious, visually striking golden appearance to premium foods.
Food manufacturers/chefs use gold for:
• Premium positioning: Gold conveys luxury, opulence, and prestige; commands premium pricing
• Visual appeal: Distinctive golden sheen makes products stand out and appear more valuable
• Special occasions: Traditional use in celebration foods (wedding cakes, anniversary desserts)
• Culinary tradition: 5000-year history of edible gold in cuisine; particularly in Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and European haute cuisine
• Branding/marketing: “Gold-dusted” or “gold-leaf” products convey exclusivity and high-end positioning
• No flavor impact: Completely tasteless; doesn’t affect food flavor or quality
• Chemical inertness: Doesn’t react with food components; no concerns about chemical interactions
• Regulatory approval: Safe, approved, and globally recognized; allows luxury positioning
Notable: E175 is used in gourmet and luxury foods—not in mass-market commodity products. Cost is the primary limiting factor (gold is expensive), not safety or regulatory concerns.
Is It Safe?
✓ YES — E175 IS SAFE
E175 (gold) is one of the safest food additives and one of the few with virtually no safety concerns documented.
Regulatory approval status:
• EU: Approved as E175 for surface coating of foods; confirmed safe in 2016 EFSA re-evaluation
• FDA (USA): Approved as exempt colorant for foods
• JECFA: Evaluated and confirmed safe
• Australia/New Zealand: Approved
• Most global jurisdictions: Approved and recognized as safe
Safety profile:
• Chemically inert: Gold does not undergo chemical reactions in the body; biologically inactive
• No absorption: Gold is not absorbed by the digestive system; passes through completely unchanged
• No bioaccumulation: Does not accumulate in body tissues; eliminated unchanged in feces
• No toxicity: No acute, chronic, or systemic toxicity at any relevant exposure levels
• No genotoxicity: No evidence of genetic damage or mutagenic potential
• No carcinogenicity: No cancer-causing potential
• No reproductive effects: No effects on fertility, development, or developmental toxicity
• No allergenicity: Not an allergen; suitable for all allergy-sensitive individuals
• No metabolic effects: Gold is not metabolized; cannot be converted to toxic metabolites
• Long history of safe use: 5000+ years of culinary use without documented health problems
• Minimal exposure: Actual dietary exposure from E175 surface coating is negligible (maximum 1.32 µg/kg body weight per day)
• No adverse effects documented: No case reports of adverse health effects from food-grade E175 at any time
Contrast with E174 (silver): Unlike E174 (silver), which has raised significant safety concerns and faces potential ban, E175 has maintained strong regulatory confidence and continues to be approved without controversy.
Comparison: E175 vs E174 (Silver)
| Property | E175 (Gold) | E174 (Silver) |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Status | Fully safe; no concerns | UNSAFE; April 2025 EFSA: cannot confirm safety |
| Chemical Inertness | Extremely high; completely inert | High; but releases toxic silver ions |
| Bioaccumulation | None; not absorbed | Potential; accumulates in tissues |
| Regulatory Confidence | Strong; approved worldwide | Weak; facing potential ban |
| Health Concerns | None documented | Neurotoxicity, reproductive hazards |
| EFSA Assessment (Recent) | Safe (2016); no reassessment needed | Cannot conclude on safety (2025) |
| Nanoparticle Risk | Not a concern | 97% nanoparticles; major concern |
| Recommendation | Safe to consume | AVOID; ban likely imminent |
The Bottom Line
E175 (gold) is one of the safest food additives available—a precious metal that is chemically inert, not absorbed by the body, and poses no known health risks. It is approved globally and has been used safely in cuisine for over 5000 years.
Key facts: E175 is completely safe. EFSA confirmed safety in 2016. Gold is biologically inert and passes through the digestive system unchanged. No absorption, no accumulation, no toxicity. Approved worldwide. No adverse health effects documented. Minimal exposure from surface decoration.
For consumers: E175 is entirely safe to consume. Products containing gold leaf or gold dust decoration pose no health risk. E175 is one of the few food additives where you can be confident—unlike many other additives, there are no safety controversies, no data gaps, no conflicting assessments.
Comparison note: E175 (gold) is fundamentally different from E174 (silver) in terms of safety. While E174 faces potential ban due to safety concerns, E175 continues to enjoy strong regulatory support and scientific consensus on safety. Gold’s extreme chemical inertness makes it an exceptionally safe choice for food decoration.
Bottom recommendation: E175 is among the safest food additives. No precautions necessary. Enjoy gold-decorated foods without concern. Unlike many synthetic colorants or novel nanoparticles, gold has a 5000-year safety record with no documented health problems.