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Is Carotenes, annatto, lutein and canthaxanthin (E160a, E160b, E160e, E161b, E161g) Halal?

Yes — this one is Halal.

Halal

High confidence About this ruling

About this ruling

Evidence confidence
High means this page cites a primary regulator listing and a named Halal certifier listing, retrieved 16 August 2026. That describes the quality of the sources on this page—not a Halal certificate for the pack or outlet in your hand.
How we score High, Medium, and Low

E160a carotenes, E160b annatto (achiote seed), E160e apo-carotenal, E161b lutein, and E161g canthaxanthin are plant or nature-identical carotenoid colours.

Evidence at a glance

Named sources used for this page. Open the full Sources block for notes and citation numbers.

Source Type Retrieved
EFSA — Re-evaluation of mixed carotenes and beta-carotene (E160a) European Food Safety Authority Regulatory / labelling
21 CFR § 73.95 β-carotene U.S. eCFR Regulatory / labelling
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives European Union Regulatory / labelling
European Commission — Food additives European Commission Regulatory / labelling
Codex GSFA online FAO / WHO Codex Regulatory / labelling
SANHA — E-numbers SANHA Certifier / jurisdiction
U.S. FDA — Food additives U.S. Food and Drug Administration Regulatory / labelling

Full Sources

Additive identity

E-number
E160a, E160b, E160e, E161b, E161g
Codex INS
INS 160a, INS 160b, INS 160e, INS 161b, INS 161g
Function
colour
Family
colours
EU Union list
authorised
Names
Carotenes; Beta-carotene; Annatto; Bixin; Norbixin; Beta-apo-8'-carotenal; Lutein; Canthaxanthin

Possible source pathways

The finished molecule can be identical across feedstocks. The Halal ruling follows the pathway, not the code alone.

  • plant · Typical Halal Botanical identity. No animal tissue is required for standard food grade.

E-number database Compare this family

Orange plant foods that share carotenoid pigments with E160 colours

Photo: Chris Bohn from Gainesville, FL, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0

Why this ruling

Carotenes (E160a), annatto (E160b), apo-carotenal (E160e), lutein (E161b), and canthaxanthin (E161g) are Halal carotenoid colours.[3][5]

Paprika extract and lycopene share the plant-colour story. None of these is carmine.

Where you'll find it

  • Cheese and snack colour
  • Margarine and drinks

How to verify

1) Match E160a, E160b, E160e, E161b, E161g, carotene, or annatto. 2) Halal. 3) E160c paprika and E160d lycopene are on the E100 page.

  • Carotenoid colours → Halal.
  • Annatto is a seed, not an insect.
  • Paprika/lycopene live on E100.

Conditions for Halal

  • E160a/E160b/E160e/E161b/E161g → Halal
  • Paprika E160c and lycopene E160d: see E100
  • Carmine remains a separate colour

Scholarly differences

Annatto is a seed colour, not an insect colour. Canthaxanthin used in food is the authorised carotenoid, not a wildlife-dye story.

Frequently asked questions

Is annatto Halal?
Yes. It is from achiote seeds (E160b).
Is beta-carotene from carrots only?
Food-grade E160a may be plant extract or nature-identical synthesis. Both routes are Halal.

Sources

Named Islamic, certifier, manufacturer, and regulatory sources used on this page. Inline markers like [1] jump here. Retrieval dates show when we last checked the live URL. Editorial methodology.

Certifier / jurisdiction

  1. SANHA — E-numbers

    SANHA

    Certifier: SANHA

    Certifier E-number literacy; not a product certificate.

    Retrieved:

Regulatory / labelling

  1. EFSA — Re-evaluation of mixed carotenes and beta-carotene (E160a)

    European Food Safety Authority

    Substance identity—not a Halal certificate for a finished pack.

    Retrieved:

  2. 21 CFR § 73.95 β-carotene

    U.S. eCFR

    U.S. identity / GRAS or colour-additive listing—not a Halal ruling.

    Retrieved:

  3. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives

    European Union

    Union-list identity—not a Halal certificate.

    Retrieved:

  4. European Commission — Food additives

    European Commission

    EU additive literacy hub.

    Retrieved:

  5. Codex GSFA online

    FAO / WHO Codex

    Codex INS / GSFA identity.

    Retrieved:

  6. U.S. FDA — Food additives

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration

    US identity / labelling context—not a Halal ruling.

    Retrieved:

Browse this topic

Open the parent category hub for more foods in the same group.

Applies to
General ruling; confirm local labels, slaughter, and certification when relevant
Last reviewed