YenzoWhat is the ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid (E160f)?
It is the ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid, a carotenoid. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT classes it as a colour.
E160fEthyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid
E160f is the ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid, a synthetic orange to orange-red carotenoid. In food it is used as a colour.
- Code
- E160f · INS 160f
- Group
- Colour
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalemoderate?Based on a regulator's decision
How E160f appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, colour (160f), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
colour (160f)colour 160fE160fINS 160fOn Vietnamese labels: Este etyl của acid beta-apo-8'-Carotenoic
Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid 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 ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid
Is the ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid harmful?
In 2019 JECFA withdrew two group ADIs of 0–5 mg/kg body weight; the first had covered beta-carotene, beta-apo-8'-carotenal and the methyl and ethyl esters of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid (E 160f) together. JECFA also said that, because no new data were submitted, the committee was unable to complete an evaluation of these esters on their own. The ADI entry in the JECFA database reads "WITHDRAWN".
Is E160f permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. The ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid (INS 160f) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function colour.
Other colours
E160Carotenoids (type not printed)very lowE160aCarotenesvery lowE160bAnnatto, bixin, norbixinlowE160cPaprika extract, capsanthin, capsorubinvery lowE160dLycopenevery lowE160eBeta-apo-8'-carotenallow
See all colours →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (3)
- Regulator's decision. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex II (Union list of food additives approved for use in foods), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1333/oj: not included in the Union list by Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 (recital 13: not offered anymore by the manufacturer and its re-evaluation no longer supported by business operators), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1129/oj.
- 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
- JECFA (FAO/WHO) evaluation database: Beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid, methyl and ethyl esters, INS 160f