Color Additive · EU 160b
Annatto
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Annatto is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #34 of 417.
- #34 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Annatto is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #34 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (92nd percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #34 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Annatto: 1,461 tracked U.S. products (common band, #34 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 1,461 · #34 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 160b | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Color Additive | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Annatto?
Annatto is a food additive (160b) classified as color additive.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: The safety of annatto extracts -E 160b- as a food additive. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (1,461 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 1,461
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Annatto safe to consume?
Annatto scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (1,461 tracked products, #34 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Annatto used for in food?
Annatto shows up as Processed foods, beverages, confectionery in the Color Additive class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (1,461 products).
Where does Annatto sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #34 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Annatto?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Annatto: EFSA evaluation: The safety of annatto extracts -E 160b- as a food additive. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.