Food · Natural colorants
Japanese Bamboo Charcoal
日本産竹炭 (Nihonsan takesumi)
Also known as: Takesumi (竹炭), Vegetable Carbon (E153), Bamboo Vegetable Carbon
At a glance
| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | 炭 |
| Common Japanese notations | 竹炭, 植物炭末色素, ベジタブルカーボン |
| Origin | Plant-derived (Phyllostachys edulis / Moso bamboo), produced by high-temperature carbonization |
| Typical functions | Black food colorant (植物炭末色素), Cosmetic colorant, Adsorbent / detoxifying positioning in oral care |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Designated food additive in Japan as 植物炭末色素 (Vegetable Carbon Color) under the Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic ingredient permitted under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act. |
Bamboo charcoal (竹炭, takesumi) is produced in Japan from Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) by high-temperature carbonization in traditional earth kilns at around 1,000°C, followed by jet-mill pulverization to micron-scale particles. As a food ingredient, the resulting black powder is classified in Japan as 植物炭末色素 (Vegetable Carbon Color) and used as a black colorant in breads, sweets, ice cream, and novelty beverages. The same material is widely used in cosmetic cleansers and oral care products.
Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Confectionery (breads, cookies, ice cream, chocolates)
- Beverages (charcoal lattes, novelty drinks)
- Soaps and facial cleansers
- Toothpaste and oral-care products
What it is
Japanese bamboo charcoal is produced by carbonising mature Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) — and to a lesser extent Hachiku bamboo — in traditional earth kilns (土窯) at temperatures around 1,000°C. The carbonised material is then pulverised, typically by jet milling, to produce micron-scale powder for food and cosmetic use.
On Japanese food labels the colorant is declared as 植物炭末色素 (literally "plant carbon colorant"). The same chemical category is approved in the EU as E153 Vegetable Carbon. Particle size, ash content, and source-bamboo specification differ between suppliers and influence both colour performance and end-product application.
Typical uses in Japanese products
In food applications, bamboo charcoal is used to colour breads, cookies, ice cream, chocolates, soft serve, and novelty beverages such as charcoal lattes. Marketing positioning often references the natural plant origin and traditional kiln processing.
In personal care, bamboo charcoal is widely used in face soaps, cleansing balms, scrubs, and toothpaste, where the black colour and adsorbent positioning support the product narrative. Suppliers and brand preparations should not be treated as interchangeable; particle size, ash specification, and source-bamboo grade differ between producers.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Designated food additive under the Food Sanitation Act, listed as 植物炭末色素 (Vegetable Carbon Color). Permitted for food coloration with declaration on the ingredient list.
Cosmetic ingredient permitted under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act. Used in cleansers, soaps, and toothpastes.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Approved as the food additive E153 (Vegetable Carbon) under Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, with category-specific use levels and restrictions specified in the regulation. |
|---|---|
| USA | Vegetable carbon is not approved as a colour additive for use in foods under the FDA framework; its use as a food colorant is therefore restricted in the US market. Activated charcoal preparations are recognised under FDA monographs for digestive aid use, and bamboo charcoal is used in cosmetic and oral-care products subject to applicable cosmetic-ingredient rules. |
| China | Vegetable carbon is permitted as a food additive (植物炭黑) for specified product categories under GB 2760, with use-level restrictions. Cosmetic use is permitted subject to IECIC listing. |
| Korea | Vegetable carbon is permitted as a food additive (식물성탄) under MFDS regulations, with specified product categories and use-level restrictions. Cosmetic use is permitted under the MFDS cosmetic ingredient framework. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list and trademark attribution have been verified against the producer listing.
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Related ingredients
References
- Japan MHLW — 食品添加物公定書 (Japan's Specifications and Standards for Food Additives), 植物炭末色素
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 — E153 Vegetable Carbon
- Nippon AIM product information — bamboo charcoal
Last updated: 2026-04-25. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.