Canthaxanthin

Identifiers

INS No. 161g
E161g
CI Food Orange 8
CAS No 514-78-3

Physical Description

Canthaxanthin occurs as a dark, crystalline powder. It is consists predominantly of trans-ß-carotene-4,4′-dione together with minor amounts of other isomers.

Common Uses

Canthaxanthin is a reddish-orange color primarily used to color the meat of poultry, salmon, and trout and the yolks of eggs indirectly through animal feeds. Canthaxanthin can also be used directly for coloring food such as tomato products, fruit drinks, sausage products and baked goods as well as pharmaceuticals.

Specifications

Regulatory Approvals

JECFA: ADI of 0-0.03 mg/kg (44th report, 1995). There are more than 30 food categories for which maximum permitted levels (MPLs) for canthaxanthin (INS No. 161g) are adopted in the General Standard of Food Additives (GSFA).

USA: Canthaxanthin was permanently listed as an exempt from certification color additive in 1969, and is allowed for use in coloring foods generally, not to exceed 30 mg/lb of solid or semisolid food or per pint of liquid food. It also may be safely used in broiler chicken feed (≤ 4.41 mg per kg of complete feed) and in the feed of salmonid fish (≤80 mg per kg of finished feed) subject to specific restrictions (21 CFR 73.75) and at for drug use at levels consistent with GMP for ingested drugs only (21 CFR 73.1075)

EU: 0-0.3 mg/kg ADI (EFSA, 2010) Canthaxanthin is used in medicinal products in accordance with Directive 2009/35/EC.

Safety Reviews

WHO Food Additive Series. No. 35, 44th JECFA Meeting. Available online

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the reevaluation of canthaxanthin (E 161 g) as a food additive. EFSA Journal 2010; 8(10):1852 [42 pp.]. Available online

FDA Final Rule. 4 FR 250; Jan 8, 1969. Available online