E161J · Colours
Astaxanthin
A safe and highly beneficial antioxidant pigment.
- Category
- Colours
- Vegan
- maybe
- Vegetarian
- maybe
What it is
A potent pink-red pigment found in microalgae, yeast, salmon, trout, krill, and shrimp.
How it is used in food
Provides a natural red-pink colour.
Commonly found in- Fish feed
- Dietary supplements
Health and safety
No known risks; safely metabolised.
Considered safe when used in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (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
- E161j
Worth knowing
It is the pigment that makes salmon, trout, shrimp and flamingos pink, and is produced at scale for aquaculture feed.
Conclusion
A safe and highly beneficial antioxidant pigment.
Is it in what you are buying?
ScanWise reads the barcode and tells you which additives a product actually contains, and what they do to its score.
Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
← All additives