Beta-apo-8'-carotenal
بيتا-أبو-8'-كاروتينال
Colour (synthetic carotenoid)
The carotenoid that breaks the pattern - its limit was cut sharply, and kids can exceed it.
Why this verdict
Synthetic orange carotenoid (cousin of beta-carotene). EFSA 2012 REVISED the ADI sharply DOWN to 0.05 mg/kg (LOAEL 10 mg/kg from kidney changes in rats, UF 200) - ~100x stricter than the old 5 mg/kg. Adults (95th pct) and children (mean and 95th/97.5th pct) can exceed the new ADI. Caution; child exposure flag.
What It Is
A synthetic orange carotenoid, chemically related to beta-carotene, used to colour drinks, sauces, and desserts.
Don't let the 'carotenoid' family name fool you. Unlike its benign relative beta-carotene, EFSA treated this one much more cautiously: in 2012 it cut the old safety limit roughly 100-fold to an ADI of 0.05 mg/kg (on the basis of kidney changes in rats) and found that both adults and children can exceed that new limit at higher use levels. So despite the natural-sounding name, beta-apo-8'-carotenal behaves more like a synthetic dye that warrants watching than like the provitamin-A its cousin provides.
Evidence & Status
IARC Carcinogen Group
Not classified
Acceptable Intake
ADI 0.05 mg/kg bw/day (EFSA 2012, revised down from 5)
EU Status
Approved (ADI 0.05 mg/kg, EFSA 2012)
US · FDA Status
Approved (exempt from certification, with limits)
Halal Status: Halal
Synthetically manufactured (no animal source); halal and vegan.
Worth Knowing
Also Known As
E 160e · Apocarotenal · C30 carotenoid · CI Food Orange 6
Primary Source
Evidence, not medical advice. You decide.
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