Wondering whether Amaranth or E140 is safer? We analyzed both ingredients using FDA regulatory data, EU food safety assessments, and peer-reviewed research to help you make an informed choice.
Bottom line: E140 scores 90/100 vs 15/100 — making it the safer choice.
Scores based on regulatory status, research consensus, and known health effects. Not medical advice.
| Factor | Amaranth | E140 |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Rating | 🔴 Significant Risk | ✅ Generally Safe |
| Safety Score | 15/100 | 90/100 |
| Category | food dyes | food dyes |
📱 Want to check this yourself? Scan any product in seconds.
Get CheckIt AI Free → ★4.7 · 256+ reviewsA dark red food dye banned in the US since 1976 due to cancer concerns. Still used in some European countries.
Amaranth is classified as a food dyes and has a safety rating of danger (15/100). Many health experts recommend limiting or avoiding this ingredient.
Natural green pigment from plants. Very safe food coloring extracted from leaves.
E140 is classified as a food dyes and has a safety rating of safe (90/100). Most health experts consider it acceptable in moderation.
Every Friday: the 5 worst products we found this week, FDA recall alerts, and the cleanest new finds at your grocery store.
Trusted by 27,000+ app users. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Based on current evidence, E140 appears to be the safer option. However, individual responses can vary based on genetics, health conditions, and consumption levels.
Want to check if a specific product contains Amaranth or E140? The free CheckIt app uses AI to scan any product and instantly break down every ingredient.
Scan Any Product Free with CheckIt AI →Get a free weekly breakdown of the most dangerous food additives, new research findings, and the cleanest products at every major store.
Trusted by 27,000+ app users. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Join 50,000+ families scanning smarter.
1,557 products scanned today · Point your camera at any label
Get the Free App →Free forever · No credit card · Works on iPhone & Android
CheckIt AI. (2026). "Amaranth vs E140: Safety, Side Effects & Which to Avoid (2026)". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/compare/amaranth-vs-e140"Amaranth vs E140: Safety, Side Effects & Which to Avoid (2026)." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-18. https://getcheck.it/compare/amaranth-vs-e140.<a href="https://getcheck.it/compare/amaranth-vs-e140">Amaranth vs E140: Safety, Side Effects & Which to Avoid (2026) — CheckIt AI</a>@misc{checkit2026compareamaranthvse140,
title = {Amaranth vs E140: Safety, Side Effects & Which to Avoid (2026)},
author = {CheckIt AI},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Climaverse PBC},
url = {https://getcheck.it/compare/amaranth-vs-e140},
note = {Retrieved 2026-04-18}
}