YenzoWhat is E160e (beta-apo-8'-carotenal)?
It is beta-apo-8'-carotenal, an orange-red carotenoid. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT classes it as a colour.
E160eBeta-apo-8'-carotenal
E160e is beta-apo-8'-carotenal, an orange-red carotenoid that is usually made synthetically. In food it gives a yellow-orange to orange-red colour.
- Code
- E160e · INS 160e
- Group
- Colour
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalelow?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E160e appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, colour (160e), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
colour (160e)colour 160eE160eINS 160eOn Vietnamese labels: beta-apo-8'-Carotenal
Beta-apo-8'-carotenal 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 beta-apo-8'-carotenal
Is beta-apo-8'-carotenal harmful?
In 2012 EFSA set an ADI of 0.05 mg/kg body weight per day for beta-apo-8'-carotenal. In 2014, after the kidney slides of the 13-week rat study were re-examined, EFSA set a new ADI of 0.3 mg/kg body weight per day and concluded that the reported uses and use levels would not be of safety concern.
Is E160e permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (INS 160e) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function colour.
Can children and pregnant women have beta-apo-8'-carotenal (E160e)?
In 2014 EFSA noted that for high consumers the ADI (0.3 mg/kg body weight per day) was exceeded for toddlers and children, and that exposure for adolescents was at about the ADI. EFSA considered this estimate still conservative, concluded that these exceedances are unlikely to occur, and concluded that the uses and use levels reported by the food industry would not be of safety concern. The source says nothing specific about pregnant women. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other colours
E160Carotenoids (type not printed)very lowE160aCarotenesvery lowE160bAnnatto, bixin, norbixinlowE160cPaprika extract, capsanthin, capsorubinvery lowE160dLycopenevery lowE160fEthyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acidmoderate
See all colours →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- 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:e160e)
- 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 (2014). Scientific Opinion on the reconsideration of the ADI and a refined exposure assessment of beta-apo-8'-carotenal (E 160e)
- EFSA Journal (2012). Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of beta-apo-8'-carotenal (E 160e) as a food additive