YenzoWhat is E160a (carotenes)?
It is carotenes, a group of yellow-orange pigments, mainly beta-carotene. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT classes it as a colour.
E160aCarotenes
E160a is carotenes, mainly beta-carotene: the yellow-orange pigment found naturally in carrots and pumpkin. In food it adds or restores a yellow-orange colour.
Did you know? According to EFSA, the beta-carotene used as an additive is either synthetic or obtained by fermentation of the fungus Blakeslea trispora; mixed carotenes consist of plant carotenes and algal carotenes.
- Code
- E160a · INS 160a
- Group
- Colour
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E160a appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, colour (160a), dried onion and garlic, pepper.
colour (160a)colour 160aE160aINS 160a
INS sub-codes
INS 160a(i)Beta-carotenes, synthetic
INS 160a(ii)Beta-carotenes, vegetable
INS 160a(iii)Beta-carotenes, Blakeslea trispora
INS 160a(iv)Beta-carotenes, algal
Sources: Codex CXG 36-1989, Class Names and the International Numbering System (INS)
Carotenes in food
Flavoured milk drinksCheese, processed cheeseButter, fat spreadsSweets, chewing gumChocolate, cocoa products
Breakfast cereals
Soup and broth cubesDipping sauces, saucesPotato and cereal snacksQuestions about carotenes
Is beta-carotene harmful?
In 2012 EFSA concluded that the data were not sufficient to set an ADI for mixed carotenes and beta-carotene. EFSA found that using synthetic beta-carotene and mixed carotenes from palm fruit oil, carrots and algae as a colour is not of safety concern, provided the intake from the additive and from food supplements is not more than the amount likely to be ingested from the regular consumption of the foods in which they occur naturally (5–10 mg a day). EFSA could not conclude on the safety in use of mixed carotenes.
Are carotenes permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. The beta-carotene forms 160a(i), 160a(ii) and 160a(iii) are listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function colour. The algal form (160a(iv)) is not in Appendix 1.
Other colours
E160Carotenoids (type not printed)very lowE160bAnnatto, bixin, norbixinlowE160cPaprika extract, capsanthin, capsorubinvery lowE160dLycopenevery lowE160eBeta-apo-8'-carotenallowE160fEthyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acidmoderate
See all colours →Found in these products
Mì Hảo Hảo tôm chua cay (hot & sour shrimp instant noodles)Acecook · instant noodles
Kẹo marshmallow Markenburg Mallow Bombs nhân xoài (mango explosion)Markenburg · sweets and candy
Sốt mayonnaise SimplySimply · sauces and dipsMì ramen HO-YA vị gà (golden chicken ramen)HO-YA · instant noodlesBánh quy giòn Kinh Đô Crunchy (crackers)Kinh Đô · snacksUpdated 21 October 2026
Sources (3)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e160a)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2A: mức sử dụng tối đa phụ gia trong thực phẩm
- EFSA Journal (2012). Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of mixed carotenes (E 160a (i)) and beta-carotene (E 160a (ii)) as a food additive