E160A – Alpha, Beta, Gamma Carotene
ColouringDescription
Mixture of fat-soluble pigments extracted from plants or produced synthetically; exists as alpha, beta, and gamma isomers
Notes
Carotenes are natural orange-yellow pigments found in many fruits and vegetables - they're what makes carrots orange and give colour to sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and leafy greens. They can be extracted directly from these plants through processes like pressing and filtering, or they can be produced synthetically in laboratories to create identical compounds. The most common types are alpha-carotene and beta-carotene. As food additives, carotenes work as natural colouring agents, giving foods appealing orange to yellow hues. You'll find them in margarine, cheese, baked goods, beverages, and many processed foods where manufacturers want to add or restore natural-looking colour. They're also added to some foods specifically for their nutritional value, since beta-carotene converts to vitamin A in your body. Carotenes are suitable for vegetarian, vegan, halal, and kosher diets, whether they're plant-extracted or synthetically produced. They're generally considered very safe and are actually beneficial to health. Many people actively seek out carotenes in their diet since they act as antioxidants and support eye health. Both natural and synthetic versions function identically in your body.