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E160d Lycopene

E160dColorsOrigin: Plant
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The short answer
Lycopene (E160d) is the red of tomatoes, used to color sauces, drinks and sweets. It is considered safe, with a daily limit that normal food use does not crowd.
Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberE160d
Comes fromPlant
What it doesColors
Glycemic index—
Daily limit0.5 mg/kg
Also calledLycopene, Tomato lycopene

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved with limits
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Lycopene from tomatoes is GRAS in the US and permitted in Canada. EFSA set a daily limit of 0.5 mg per kg of body weight that covers tomato, synthetic and fungal lycopene.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

35 mgper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 0.5 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 10 mg a day.

What is it?

Lycopene is a carotenoid. As a color it brings a red-orange that is more stable than beet in some fatty foods. A serving of tomato sauce often contains more lycopene than the additive dose in a sweet.

Where it comes from: Most food lycopene is extracted from tomatoes. The same molecule is also made in factories or by the fungus Blakeslea trispora. Labels do not always say which.

Why it’s in food

  • Reds sauces and soups
  • Colors drinks
  • Tints sweets
  • Replaces synthetic reds

Often found in

Tomato saucesSoupsFruit drinksSweetsDairy dessertsSurimi

Also listed as: Lycopene, Tomato lycopene, Synthetic lycopene, CI 75125, Natural Yellow 27

Health & gut impact

Daily limitConcern

EFSA's 0.5 mg per kg limit for added lycopene sits above typical intakes from colored foods plus a tomato-rich diet.

EFSA opinion on lycopene (2008)

Food sourceBenefit

Tomatoes are a normal food source of lycopene. The additive is the same molecule, isolated.

JECFA evaluation of lycopene

Red from tomatoes

For your pantry
Pantry staple

Tomato paste

Concentrated lycopene with real tomato flavor.

Shop tomato paste Opens your country’s Amazon store
Pantry staple

Sun-dried tomatoes

A deeper red for sauces and breads.

Shop sun-dried tomatoes Opens your country’s Amazon store
Pantry staple

Tomato powder

A shelf-stable red for rubs and dough.

Shop tomato powder Opens your country’s Amazon store

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What can I use instead?

Paprika extract

Ratio: To shade

Best for: Savory foods

Tomato paste

Ratio: To taste

Best for: Sauces and stews

Related

More colors:

Allura Red AC (Red 40) E129Red 40 (E129) is a petroleum-based dye. It's legal in the US and EU, but European packages must carry a warning about hyperactivity in children, and California is removing it from school food.Best to avoidAmaranth dye E123Amaranth dye (E123) is a synthetic red that the US banned in 1976. Europe still allows tiny uses. It is not the amaranth seed sold as a gluten-free grain.Best to avoidAmmonia caramel (Caramel III) E150cAmmonia caramel (E150c) is the caramel class made with ammonia and no sulfite, common in beer. It is approved, but like cola caramel it can contain 4-MEI, which California lists under Proposition 65.Use in moderationAnnatto E160bAnnatto (E160b) is a natural orange color from achiote seeds. It's what makes cheddar orange. It's safe and vegan, though it's one of the few natural colors that can trigger allergies.Generally safe

Common questions

Is added lycopene different from the lycopene in tomatoes?

The molecule is the same. The additive is just lycopene taken out of tomatoes, or made to match it.

Is Lycopene safe?

Generally safe (92/100). Lycopene from tomatoes is GRAS in the US and permitted in Canada. EFSA set a daily limit of 0.5 mg per kg of body weight that covers tomato, synthetic and fungal lycopene.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E160d
  • EFSA opinion on lycopene (2008)
  • JECFA evaluation of lycopene

INS 160d · CAS 502-65-8