Sodium copper chlorophyllin
Sodium copper chlorophyllin suppliers and sourcing guide
Sodium copper chlorophyllin is a green, water-soluble color made from chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is extracted from plants such as alfalfa, saponified to remove the phytol tail, and the central magnesium is replaced with copper, which makes the color more stable. It is sold as a dark green to black powder or as liquid solutions, standardized by copper chlorophyllin content and absorbance ratio.
- Category
- Colors
- Also known as
- Chlorophyllin-copper complex · Copper chlorophyllin · E141(ii) · Natural Green 5
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of sodium copper chlorophyllin
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Powder
Dark green to black powder with a stated total copper chlorophyllin content.
Liquid solution
Aqueous solution for easier dosing in beverages and confectionery.
Oil-soluble copper chlorophyll
The non-saponified, oil-soluble copper chlorophyll, a different material; check its listing status before use in US foods.
Dietary supplement grade
Grades sold for use as a supplement ingredient, with the same chemistry but specs written for that use.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Total copper chlorophyllins
- Content by spectrophotometry on the dried sample, against the minimum in 21 CFR 73.125.
- Total and free copper
- Total copper by AAS or ICP and free (ionic) copper, both capped in 21 CFR 73.125.
- Absorbance ratio
- Ratio of absorbance at 405 nm to 630 nm, an identity and purity check named in the regulation.
- Residual solvents
- Acetone, ethanol and hexane by GC, capped in combination.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic and mercury by ICP-MS, reported against the limits in the color additive regulation and the supplier specification.
- Moisture
- Loss on drying for powder, capped at 5 percent in the regulation.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep sealed in a cool, dry, dark place; the powder absorbs moisture, and the color slowly fades with light. Solutions should be kept closed and protected from freezing and heat. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with chlorophyllin content retested on older stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Record total copper chlorophyllins, free copper and absorbance ratio for each lot, and adjust dose when content changes. Rotate first-expired, first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 73.125 defines sodium copper chlorophyllin as a powder made from alfalfa chlorophyll by saponification and replacement of magnesium by copper.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.125 permits it in food only to color citrus-based dry beverage mixes, at no more than 0.2 percent of the dry mix.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.125 caps free copper at 200 ppm.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's List of Permitted Colouring Agents includes sodium copper chlorophyllin (item S.4).
Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Sodium copper chlorophyllin suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking sodium copper chlorophyllin suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell sodium copper chlorophyllin? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of sodium copper chlorophyllin can brands buy?
Common forms include powder, liquid solution, oil-soluble copper chlorophyll and dietary supplement grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for sodium copper chlorophyllin include?
Expect total copper chlorophyllins, total and free copper, absorbance ratio, residual solvents, heavy metals and moisture, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should sodium copper chlorophyllin be stored?
Keep sealed in a cool, dry, dark place; the powder absorbs moisture, and the color slowly fades with light. Solutions should be kept closed and protected from freezing and heat. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with chlorophyllin content retested on older stock.
What is the regulatory status of sodium copper chlorophyllin?
21 CFR 73.125 defines sodium copper chlorophyllin as a powder made from alfalfa chlorophyll by saponification and replacement of magnesium by copper. 21 CFR 73.125 permits it in food only to color citrus-based dry beverage mixes, at no more than 0.2 percent of the dry mix. 21 CFR 73.125 caps free copper at 200 ppm. Health Canada's List of Permitted Colouring Agents includes sodium copper chlorophyllin (item S.4).
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