E161H – Citranaxanthi
ColouringDescription
Carotenoid pigment, orange-red color, derived from citrus peels
Notes
Citranaxanthin is a natural orange-red pigment that belongs to a family of compounds called carotenoids - the same substances that make carrots orange and tomatoes red. This particular carotenoid is extracted from citrus peels, especially from oranges and tangerines. The extraction process involves grinding the peels and using solvents to pull out the colorful compounds, which are then purified and concentrated into a powder or liquid form. As a food colouring agent, citranaxanthin gives foods a vibrant orange-red hue. You'll commonly find it used in beverages, candies, baked goods, and dairy products like flavoured yogurts and ice creams. It's particularly popular for creating sunset-orange colors in fruit-flavored drinks and giving a rich, warm tone to processed foods that might otherwise look pale or unappealing. Since citranaxanthin comes from citrus fruits, it's completely natural and suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. It's also generally acceptable under most religious dietary laws. The compound is considered very safe for consumption, as our bodies are already familiar with carotenoids from the fruits and vegetables we eat regularly. In fact, like other carotenoids, it may even provide some antioxidant benefits.