
Vegetable carbon is also known by the name of vegetable black, carbo medicinalis vegetabilis, and carbon black. Vegetable carbon is an insoluble black food coloring agent used in confectionery products, bakery products, decorations, cheese coating and pharmaceuticals applications. The vegetable carbon is produced via steam activation of vegetable fiber, wood, cellulose residue and peat. For health purposes, it is non-carcinogenic, naturally produced and pure. Also, the uses of vegetable carbon in process food is highly regulated and incorporate national legislations which assure safety for the consumers. The European, Canadian Australia, and New Zealand authorities approve vegetable carbon as a color additive while United States FDA still restricts its uses across the country. Vegetable carbon is typically safe and has health benefits as it prevents halitosis due to intestinal fermentation and also proven to be highly effective in case of diarrhea.