E160e Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (Apocarotenal)

E160eColorsOrigin: Lab-made

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Every diet

VeganYes

The food color is synthesized. It is not an animal pigment.

Gluten-freeYes

HalalYes

KosherYes

KetoYes

A color dose is not a carbohydrate.

Low-FODMAPYes

The short answer

Apocarotenal (E160e) is an orange carotenoid color. The FDA caps it at 15 mg per pound of solid food or 15 mg per pint of liquid. It is not one of the petroleum dyes.

88/100

Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberE160e

Comes fromLab-made

What it doesColors

Glycemic index—

Daily limitNot set

Also calledApocarotenal, Beta-apo-8'-carotenal

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved with limits

🇪🇺 European UnionApproved with limits

🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved with limits

CaliforniaNo extra rules

The FDA allows beta-apo-8'-carotenal to color foods generally, at no more than 15 mg per pound of solid or semisolid food or 15 mg per pint of liquid food (21 CFR 73.90). It cannot color a food that has a standard of identity unless that standard allows added color. The EU lists it as E160e with category limits, and Canada permits it as a color. It is in the same carotenoid family as beta-carotene and is not a petroleum dye.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

The pigment is a dark violet crystal that turns food orange. Cheese sauces, drinks and dressings use it when annatto or paprika is not the shade they want.

Where it comes from: Beta-apo-8'-carotenal is an orange carotenoid. Fruit and vegetables contain small amounts. The color additive in food is the synthesized pigment. The FDA lists it under 21 CFR 73.90 with CAS 1107-26-2, and it does not require batch certification.

Why it’s in food

Colors cheese sauces orange
Tints drinks and desserts
Replaces a petroleum orange
Matches a standard shade from batch to batch

Often found in

Cheese sauceDrinksDressingsIce creamSnacksBakery fillings

Also listed as: Apocarotenal, Beta-apo-8'-carotenal, β-apo-8'-carotenal, CI Food Orange 6

Health & gut impact

A capped colorBenefit

The FDA listing exempts this carotenoid from batch certification and sets the ceiling at 15 mg per pound of solid food or 15 mg per pint of liquid.

21 CFR 73.90

Related to beta-caroteneBenefit

Apocarotenal is a shorter carotenoid in the same family as beta-carotene. The body can convert some of it toward vitamin A. The food dose is a color, not a supplement.

Carotenoid metabolism of β-apo-8'-carotenal

What can I use instead?

Beta-carotene

Ratio: Expect a yellower orange

Best for: A related carotenoid

Annatto

Ratio: The shade runs more yellow-red

Best for: Cheese

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 avoid Aluminium E173Aluminium (E173) is a metallic silver-gray powder used on some European sugar decorations and sweets. It is used in tiny amounts, and it is not approved as a food color in the US.Use in moderation Amaranth 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 avoid Ammonia 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 moderation

Common questions

Is apocarotenal a petroleum dye?

No. It is a carotenoid, synthesized to match a pigment that also occurs in plants.

How much can a food contain?

In the US, no more than 15 mg per pound of a solid food or 15 mg per pint of a liquid.

Is Beta-apo-8'-carotenal safe?

Generally safe (88/100). The FDA allows beta-apo-8'-carotenal to color foods generally, at no more than 15 mg per pound of solid or semisolid food or 15 mg per pint of liquid food (21 CFR 73.90). It cannot color a food that has a standard of identity unless that standard allows added color. The EU lists it as E160e with category limits, and Canada permits it as a color. It is in the same carotenoid family as beta-carotene and is not a petroleum dye.

Is Beta-apo-8'-carotenal vegan?

Yes. The food color is synthesized. It is not an animal pigment.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations

21 CFR 73.90 (US FDA)
EFSA OpenFoodTox: E160e
21 CFR 73.90
Carotenoid metabolism of β-apo-8'-carotenal

INS 160e · CAS 1107-26-2