What is E160a?
Carotene — the same pigment that gives carrots their orange colour, and a precursor your body converts into Vitamin A.
E160a (carotene, usually beta-carotene) is a natural orange-yellow pigment found in carrots, sweet potatoes and many other orange and dark green vegetables. It's used as a natural food colouring, and is also a well-known Vitamin A precursor, meaning the body can convert it into Vitamin A as needed. Goodnessly rates it Safe.
Download our app to check additives in everyday foods
Read the FAQ →
What is carotene?
Carotene refers to a family of orange-yellow pigments, most commonly beta-carotene, found throughout the plant kingdom in carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, mangoes and dark leafy greens (where its orange colour is simply masked by the green of chlorophyll). It can be extracted from natural sources like palm oil or carrots, or produced synthetically via fermentation, with both versions chemically identical. Beta-carotene is well known as a Vitamin A precursor: the body converts it into Vitamin A only as needed, which is part of why eating carotene-rich foods doesn't carry the same overdose risk as taking preformed Vitamin A supplements in excess.
What's it used for?
- Colouring margarine and butter substitutes
- Orange and yellow shades in soft drinks and juices
- Colouring cheese
- Used in some confectionery and baked goods
Where you'll find 160a on the shelf
Common wherever a natural orange or yellow shade is wanted.
Is carotene safe? What the research says
Carotene is one of the most familiar natural pigments and a well-understood Vitamin A precursor, with a clean regulatory record as a food colour.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted, no limit | Permitted at quantum satis (as much as needed for the intended purpose). |
| EU European Union (EFSA) | Permitted, no ADI | Listed as E160a, with no numerical Acceptable Daily Intake needed for use as a colouring additive. |
| US United States (FDA) | GRAS | Holds Generally Recognized As Safe status for general food use. |
Because the body only converts beta-carotene into Vitamin A as needed, high intake from food or additive sources doesn't carry the toxicity risk associated with excess preformed Vitamin A. Very high intake can occasionally cause a harmless, reversible orange tinge to the skin (carotenemia), which fades once intake reduces.
- No significant regulatory changes: carotene's approval status has remained stable, reflecting its long, low-controversy safety record.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — if you're reading this well after the date above, it's worth confirming nothing has changed before citing it.
Who this matters to
- No population group has a specific safety-based reason to limit E160a at typical food-additive levels
Goodnessly rates E160a Safe. It's one of the most familiar natural pigments in the world, and a well-understood Vitamin A precursor the body converts only as needed.
How to spot it on a label
E160a is usually declared clearly. Look out for:
- Carotene or beta-carotene
- 160a or E160a
- "Colour (160a)" in the ingredients list
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
Is carotene the same as Vitamin A?
Not exactly. Beta-carotene is a precursor the body converts into Vitamin A as needed, which is why eating carotene-rich foods doesn't carry the same overdose risk as taking preformed Vitamin A supplements in excess.
Can eating too much carotene turn your skin orange?
Very high intake can occasionally cause a harmless, reversible orange tinge to the skin called carotenemia, most often seen with very large amounts of carrot juice or supplements. It fades once intake reduces and isn't considered a health risk.
Does Goodnessly rate E160a as safe, caution, or avoid?
Goodnessly rates E160a (Carotene) as Safe. It's one of the most familiar natural pigments in the world, and a well-understood Vitamin A precursor the body converts only as needed.
Don't decode labels by hand
Scan any product with the Goodnessly app to instantly see its full additive breakdown, kept current as new research like this comes to light.
Download our app to check additives in everyday foods