Natural Red Food Color · E163

Red Radish Extract

A premium natural red food color extracted from Raphanus sativus L. (red radish), rich in anthocyanins (pelargonidin). With our own 2000-mu plantation and advanced extraction technology, we deliver industry-leading color value of 93 E(1%, 1cm, 520nm) — firmly in the first tier of global quality.

93 Color Value E(1%,1cm,520nm)
2000mu Own Plantation
520nm Primary Absorption Peak
Radish Red
E163

Product Overview

What is Radish Red?

Radish Red is a pure natural, water-soluble food color pigment extracted from the root of Raphanus sativus L. — an edible red radish with a long planting history in China. The main coloring component is anthocyanin, specifically pelargonidin, which gives the pigment its vivid red hue.

The extraction process includes checking, washing, slicing, extracting, filtrating, purifying, concentrating, sterilizing, and spray-drying — producing a deep red powder that is easily soluble in water and alcohol solutions, but insoluble in oil.

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Plant-Based

100% derived from edible red radish

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Water-Soluble

Dissolves easily in water & alcohol

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Heat-Stable

No color change with prolonged boiling

Clean Label

No synthetic additives

Own Plantation Base

2000 mu of radish plantation — raw material you can trace

Our radish red pigment begins in the field, not in the extraction room. We own and operate 2000 mu (approx. 333 acres) of dedicated radish plantation in China, giving customers full visibility into raw material origin, supply continuity, and long-term quality control.

2000mu
Total plantation area
800mu
Intercropped with gardenia trees
7
Radish varieties (5 red + 2 purple)

Intercropping innovation: 800 mu of our radish plantation is intercropped with gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) trees. This symbiotic planting model maximizes land efficiency, improves soil health, and allows us to control both key raw materials — radish for red pigment and gardenia for yellow pigment — within a single, vertically integrated agricultural base.

Product Range

Multiple absorption peaks — more choices for your application

Beyond our flagship 520nm radish red (color value 93), we offer radish red pigments with different absorption peaks, allowing customers to select the exact hue profile — from cool purple-red to warm vivid red — for their specific application.

λ max 470 nm

Purple-red variety. Shorter wavelength for cooler, bluish-red hues. Ideal for functional food and nutraceutical applications.

λ max 520 nm

Flagship product. Color value 93 — first-tier quality. Vivid red with excellent stability. The industry benchmark for radish red pigment.

λ max 550 nm

Warm red variety. Longer wavelength for warmer, orange-red hues. Suitable for confectionery and beverage applications.

The 80nm spread (470–550nm) across our variety platform lets us match the right pigment profile to each customer's actual requirement — without blending synthetic additives.

Technical Specifications

Radish Red — detailed spec sheet

Product NameRed Radish Extract (Red Radish Color)
Botanical SourceRaphanus sativus L. (red radish root)
Main Coloring ComponentAnthocyanins (Pelargonidin)
CAS Number134-04-3
EEC NumberE-163
INS Number163i
CNS Number08.117
FDA Reference21 CFR §73.260
AppearanceDeep red powder (also available as liquid)
Color Value (Flagship)E(1%, 1cm, 520nm) = 93 — first-tier quality
Color Value RangeE(1%, 1cm, 513±5nm): 30–95 (customizable)
Absorption Peaks Available470nm · 490nm · 520nm · 540nm · 550nm
SolubilitySoluble in water, aqueous ethanol; insoluble in oil
pH StabilityRed and stable at pH 1–6; turns blue at pH >7
Heat StabilityExcellent — no color change with prolonged boiling
Light StabilityGood in acidic conditions; no fading under prolonged light exposure
Loss on Drying≤ 8% (powder)
Ash Content≤ 2%
Lead (Pb)≤ 2 mg/kg
Arsenic (As)≤ 2 mg/kg
Total Plate Count≤ 1,000 cfu/g
Pathogenic BacteriaNegative
Shelf Life24 months (powder, unopened); 6 months (liquid)
StorageSealed, avoid light, store in cool dry place
Package10kg or 20kg (customizable)

Applications

Where Radish Red is used

Radish Red is widely used in food and beverage applications that require a bright, stable natural red color. It performs especially well in acidic (low pH) products.

Fruit-flavored beverages Fruit & vegetable juice Frozen drinks & ice cream Candy & confectionery Cakes & bakery Preserved fruits Jam & jelly Vinegar Compound seasonings Imitation wine Solid beverages Puffed food

Usage Reference (per GB2760)

Usage amount is according to production needs (no maximum usage limit under GB2760). Typical reference dosages:

  • • Beverages: 0.002% – 0.07%
  • • Candy: 0.01% – 0.06%
  • • Cookies & cakes: 0.04% – 0.08%

Note: Dissolve pigment in a small amount of water first, then mix with food materials. Stirring is recommended for even coloring. Temperature should be controlled under 80°C for optimal results.

Stability & Performance

How Radish Red performs under real conditions

pH

pH Sensitivity

Color changes with pH: orange-red (pH 1–3) → red-purple (pH 4–5) → aubergine (pH 6) → blue (pH 7) → unstable green (pH >7). Optimal stability at pH 1–6.

°C

Heat Resistance

Excellent heat stability — color remains unchanged during prolonged boiling. No precipitation in solution. Suitable for high-temperature food processing.

Light Stability

In acidic medium, the color does not fade under prolonged light exposure. Good resistance to oxidation. Ascorbic acid has a protective effect.

Metal ion note: Cu²⁺ can accelerate degradation and turn the solution blue; Fe³⁺ can turn it rust-yellow. Avoid contact with copper and iron equipment. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has a protective effect on the pigment.

Certifications & Compliance

Globally certified, regulatory-ready

ISO9001
ISO 9001
Quality Management
HACCP
Food Safety
HALAL
Halal
Muslim certified
KKOSHER
Kosher
Jewish certified
FSSC22000
FSSC 22000
Food Safety System
Clean Label
100% natural

Regulatory status: Approved in China (GB2760, CNS 08.117), EU (E163), USA (FDA 21 CFR §73.260), Japan (Natural Additive), Korea (KFDA Natural Additive 173). Usage amount according to production needs.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What makes your radish red color value 93 so special?
A color value of 93 E(1%, 1cm, 520nm) places our radish red firmly in the first tier of global quality. Most commercial radish red pigments on the market range from 30–80. Our 93 color value means higher coloring power per gram — you need less pigment to achieve the same color intensity, which translates to lower usage cost and cleaner label declarations.
Why do you offer multiple absorption peaks?
Different food applications require different hue profiles. A 470nm peak gives a cooler purple-red, while a 550nm peak gives a warmer orange-red. By offering multiple absorption peaks (470nm, 490nm, 520nm, 540nm, 550nm), we let customers select the exact red hue that matches their product vision — without blending synthetic additives.
How does the intercropping with gardenia work?
800 mu of our 2000-mu radish plantation is intercropped with gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) trees. This symbiotic model maximizes land use efficiency — radish grows at ground level while gardenia trees develop above. It improves soil health, reduces pest pressure, and allows us to control both key raw materials within a single agricultural base.
Is radish red stable in high-temperature processing?
Yes. Radish red has excellent heat stability — the color remains unchanged even with prolonged boiling. It is suitable for baked goods, hot-fill beverages, and other high-temperature food processing applications. For best results, keep processing temperature under 80°C during the coloring stage.
What pH range is radish red suitable for?
Radish red is most stable and vivid at pH 1–6, making it ideal for acidic food and beverage applications such as fruit juices, carbonated drinks, candy, and pickled products. At pH above 7, the color shifts to blue and becomes unstable. We recommend testing in your specific formulation.
Can I request a sample?
Yes. We provide samples for serious customers to test in their own formulations. Contact us with your product type, target color, and processing conditions, and we'll recommend the most suitable radish red variant and arrange sample shipment.

Related Product

Also explore our Gardenia Yellow

Get in Touch

Request a Radish Red sample

Tell us your product type, target color shade, processing conditions, and required absorption peak. We'll recommend the optimal radish red variant and arrange sample delivery.