Color Additive · EU 160a
Carotene
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Carotene 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 #223 of 417.
- #223 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Carotene is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #223 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (45th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #223 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Carotene: 12 tracked U.S. products (moderate band, #223 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 12 · #223 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 160a | 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 Carotene?
Carotene is a food additive (160a) classified as color additive.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Safety of the proposed extension of use of synthetic Beta-carotene [E 160aii] in foods for special medical purposes in young children
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a moderate OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (12 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carotene safe to consume?
Carotene scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a moderate additive (12 tracked products, #223 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Carotene used for in food?
Carotene shows up as Processed foods, beverages, confectionery in the Color Additive class, and the OFF sample puts it in the moderate footprint band (12 products).
Where does Carotene sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #223 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Carotene?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Carotene: EFSA evaluation: Safety of the proposed extension of use of synthetic Beta-carotene [E 160aii] in foods for special medical purposes in young children. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.