Canthaxanthin
A synthetic pigment restricted primarily to animal feed in the EU.
- Category
- Colours
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
A carotenoid pigment that produces a red to orange color. Though it occurs naturally in some mushrooms and crustaceans, it is typically produced synthetically.
How it is used in food
An intense orange-pink to red colour with unusually good heat and light stability, which is why it remains the pigment of choice in aquaculture and poultry feed: it gives farmed salmon and trout their pink flesh and deepens egg-yolk colour. In food itself, its authorised use in Europe is narrow.
Commonly found in- Poultry feed
- Fish feed
- Sausages
Health and safety
Approved in some regions but no longer widely authorised in the EU for direct food use, mainly restricted to animal feed to color egg yolks and salmon flesh.
EFSA re-evaluated canthaxanthin and confirmed a low ADI of 0.03 mg per kg of body weight per day, derived from the retinal-deposition findings. EU food use is essentially limited to one traditional product category (Strasbourg-style sausages), with the bulk of tonnage going to animal feed under separate feed-additive rules.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Permitted | Authorised for food use under EU regulations (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E161g
Worth knowing
In the 1980s canthaxanthin was sold in high-dose "tanning pills" to colour the skin from within. Users developed canthaxanthin retinopathy — glittering gold crystalline deposits in the retina, visible on eye examination. The deposits slowly cleared after stopping, but the episode is the main reason its acceptable intake was cut sharply.
Conclusion
A synthetic pigment restricted primarily to animal feed in the EU.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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