INS No. 160a (i-iv)
Carotenes, beta-, synthetic
Carotenes, beta-, vegetable
Carotenes, beta-, Blakeslea trispora
Beta-Carotene-rich extract from Dunaliella salina
E160a(i-iv)
beta-carotene
Plant carotenes
Beta-carotene from Blakeslea trispora
Algal carotenes
Carrot oil
CI Food Orange 5
EINECS 230-636-6
beta-Carotene, an isomer of the naturally occurring carotenoid carotene, is the pigment largely responsible for the color of various products obtained from nature. β -carotene may be obtained from natural sources, such as various edible vegetable sources or by fermentation from Blakeslea trispora or produced synthetically from acetone. Both the synthetically produced and the natural sources of β -carotene can be used as color additives. All types of carotenes display pro-Vitamin A activity. Carotenes are generally available in shades of yellow to yellow-orange but can also be found in orange or red shades. Carotenes offer excellent light, heat and pH stability.
Carotenes are natural orange food colors used in a wide range of food and beverages including cider, malt beverages, water-based flavored drinks, margarines, cheeses, cake fillings, custards, yogurts, processed nuts, precooked pastas and noodles.
US FDA
JECFA
EU defined in Commission Regulation (EU) No 23/2012
Carotenoids, including beta-apo-8′-Carotenal (INS No. 160e), beta-Carotenes, Blakeslea trispora (INS No. 160a(iii) and beta-Carotenes, synthetic (INS No. 160a(i)), and beta-apo-8′-Carotenoic acid, ethyl ester (INS No. 160f) are added to foods and beverages at concentrations in more than 70 food categories up to a maximum permitted level (MPL) as established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and published in the General Standard of Food Additives (GSFA).
Additionally, vegetable beta-Carotenes (INS No. 160a(ii)) are added to foods and beverages at concentrations in more than 80 food categories up to a maximum permitted level (MPL) as established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and published in the General Standard of Food Additives (GSFA). Many applications for the use of Beta-Carotene-rich extract from Dunaliella Salina (INS No. 160(aiv)) as a color additive in foods and beverages have been proposed and are pending authorization, following completion of the review and comments process.
Evaluation of certain food additives (Eighty-seventh report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) WHO Technical Report Series, No. 1020, 2019. Available online.
Evaluation of certain food additives: prepared by the Eighty-fourth meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Geneva: World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; 2019 (WHO Food Additives Series, No. 75). Available online
JECFA (2001) Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. 57th report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. WHO Technical Report Series 909. Available online
JECFA (1993) Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. 41st report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. WHO Technical Report Series 837. Available online
EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the reevaluation of Mixed Carotenes (E 160a (i)) and beta-Carotene (E 160a (ii)) as a food additive. EFSA Journal 2012;10(3):2593. [67 pp.] doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2593. Available online