Beta-Carotene
Also listed as E160a, β-Carotene, and Beta Carotene.
This is what the ingredient is.
Beta-carotene is a red-orange pigment and provitamin A carotenoid naturally found in fruits and vegetables. Synthetically produced for food use and supplements.
Here is why it shows up on the label.
Natural colorant (orange hue) and nutrient fortification. Converted to vitamin A in the body. Used in margarine, cheese, beverages, and supplements.
Here is what food agencies say.
FDA GRAS as color additive and nutrient. Europe has not set a numeric daily limit. It is approved in the US, Europe (as E160a), and Canada.
Here is what research has found.
Converted to vitamin A in body as needed. Antioxidant properties studied extensively. Large supplementation trials in smokers showed increased lung cancer risk, leading to caution.
Here are a few things worth knowing.
High-dose supplements (not food amounts) associated with increased lung cancer risk in smokers in two major trials (ATBC, CARET). Dietary beta-carotene from foods not associated with harm. Excessive intake can cause harmless orange skin discoloration (carotenemia).
Sources
- FDA 21 CFR 73.90
- NEJM 1994 (ATBC Trial)
- NEJM 1996 (CARET Study)
How to read this page
We publish plain facts about this ingredient so a label is easier to read. This is not medical advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy, avoid, or use anything. For a personal health question, talk with a clinician who knows your history.