Color Additive · EU 161g
Canthaxanthin
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Canthaxanthin 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 #258 of 417.
- #258 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Canthaxanthin is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #258 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (35th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #258 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Canthaxanthin: 6 tracked U.S. products (moderate band, #258 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 6 · #258 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 161g | 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 Canthaxanthin?
Canthaxanthin is a food additive (161g) classified as color additive.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of canthaxanthin -E 161 g- as a food additive
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a moderate OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (6 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canthaxanthin safe to consume?
Canthaxanthin scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a moderate additive (6 tracked products, #258 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Canthaxanthin used for in food?
Canthaxanthin shows up as Processed foods, beverages, confectionery in the Color Additive class, and the OFF sample puts it in the moderate footprint band (6 products).
Where does Canthaxanthin sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #258 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Canthaxanthin?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Canthaxanthin: EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of canthaxanthin -E 161 g- as a food additive. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.