E160e — Beta-apo-8'-carotenal
E160e (Beta-apo-8'-carotenal), a color, is rated "safe": no significant concern. A synthetic carotenoid closely related to beta-carotene. Gives an orange-red color in sauces, soups, and some dairy.
What is Beta-apo-8'-carotenal?
A synthetic carotenoid pigment chemically similar to beta-carotene but with a slightly different molecular tail. Used to give soups, sauces, and processed cheeses a richer orange-red color.
What does it do to the body?
Behaves much like beta-carotene in your body, with weak vitamin A activity. No safety concerns identified at food-level use.
What regulators say
EFSA reaffirmed safety in 2012 with an acceptable daily intake of 0.05 mg per kg of body weight per day. FDA-approved.
Risk rating: Safe
Cleared by EFSA with no significant concern at typical dietary exposure. Common, well-studied, and not a reason to put a product back on the shelf.
Source: EFSA — re-evaluation of beta-apo-8'-carotenal (2012) ↗