Beta-Carotene(E160a)
Level 2 — Generally safeIn Winter's Dictionary2 sources
Beta-Carotene is a colorant — Yellow coloring (carrots, butter, egg yolks); vitamin A precursor
Also: Provitamin A
What it does
Yellow coloring (carrots, butter, egg yolks); vitamin A precursor
Where you'll see it
Foods and cosmetics; vitamin A manufacture
What the research says
Too much in blood can lead to carotenemia (pale yellow-red skin pigmentation, benign). Being studied for cancer-causing properties because positive as a mutagen in salmonella.
[ultra-processed-people] Used historically as a colourant to make Nazi-era synthetic 'coal butter' look like butter. Generally regarded as safe but functions as a UPF marker — when used as added colour to fake the appearance of dairy or fruit content.
Benefits
Less serious side effects than vitamin A; studied for cancer prevention
Regulatory status
- US FDA: GRAS
- EU: approved
- Notes: Exempt from certification
Sources
- Ultra-Processed People (van Tulleken) — Chapter 6: The ultimate UPF: Mixing the fat with diacetyl, water, salt and a bit of beta-carotene for colour allowed Imhausen to complete the transformation of German coal into 'coal butter'
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): Beta-carotene is being studied for cancer-causing properties because it is positive as a mutagen in salmonella