Annatto extracts, bixin-based
6983-79-5 · (9-cis)-6,6'-diapo-?,?-carotenedioic acid 6-methyl ester; a-Bixin; Bixinol · .ALPHA.-BIXIN · 6'-methyl hydrogen 9'-cis-6,6'-diapocarotene-6,6'-dioate · 6'-methyl hydrogen 9'-Z-6,6'-diapocarotene-6,6'-dioate · 6,6'-DIAPO-.PSI.,.PSI.-CAROTENEDIOIC ACID, 6-METHYL ESTER, 9-CIS- · 6-Methyl hydrogen (9Z)-6,6'-diapocarotene-6,6'-dioate · a-Bixin · alpha-Bixin · Annatto (E 160b) · Annatto bixin · ANNATTO EXTRACTS, BIXIN-BASED · Bixin · Bixin, >=95.0% (HPLC) · Bixinol · BIXINS CIS-FORM · CCRIS 9384 · cis-Bixin · E 160b(i) · Isobixin · Methyl (9-cis)-hydrogen-6,6'-diapo-psi,psi-carotenedioate · Stable bixin · E160B · E160b(i) · 160b(i) · (2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E)-20-methoxy-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-20-oxoicosa-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaenoic acid · (2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16Z,18E)-20-methoxy-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-20-oxo-icosa-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaenoic acid · (2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16Z,18E)-20-methoxy-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-20-oxoicosa-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaenoic acid · 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-EICOSANONAENEDIOIC ACID, 4,8,13,17-TETRAMETHYL-, 1-METHYL ESTER, (2E,4Z,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E)- · 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-Eicosanonaenedioic acid, 4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-, monomethyl ester, (2E,4Z,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E)- · 20-methoxy-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-20-oxoicosa-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaenoic acid · Annatto bixin · anato biksin · Anato biksinas · Annaato biksiin · Annato biksyna · Annato biksīns · Annatto bixin · Annatto bixine · Annatto bixină · Annatto-biksiini · ANNATTO-NORBIKSIINI · Annattoekstrakt bixin · Annattoextrakt bixin · Bissina di annatto · Bixina de anato · Bixina de bija · Bixine de rocou · Αννάττο μπιξίνη · Анато биксинE number E160b(i)INS 160b(i)CAS 6983-79-5
Listed as a colour by Codex and the EU.
Listed as colours (EU, Codex)
- European Union: Colours — Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II, Part B, 1. Colours (consolidated text 02008R1333-20260818)
- Codex Alimentarius: Colour — CXS 192-1995 Table One, INS 160b(i)
Bixin is the oil-soluble form of annatto, an orange-yellow colour from the seed coat of the achiote tree. It is the colour of many hard cheeses, including Red Leicester and some cheddars, and of butter and margarine.
Where it is and isn’t permitted
| Jurisdiction | Status | Scope and limits | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia and New Zealand | No listed food uses foundThis site has not matched this substance to any food use on this jurisdiction’s list of authorised food additives. A food additive may be used only in foods that list names. Flavourings, enzymes, processing aids and added nutrients are regulated separately and do not appear on it. | ||
| Canada | No listing matchedHealth Canada’s lists name additives without E or INS numbers, so this site matches them by exact name. A substance listed there under a name this site does not recognise has no row here. | ||
| European Union | Permitted, with conditions | 26 food categories highest permitted level 80 mg/l Show every food category
| Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008and 25 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-18 |
| Great Britain | Permitted, with conditions | 25 food categories highest permitted level 80 mg/kg or mg/l Show every food category
| Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008and 24 further provisionsretrieved 2026-10-18 |
| Japan | No listing matchedThis site imports only Japan’s list of designated additives (Appended Table 1 to the Regulations for Enforcement of the Food Sanitation Act), matched by English name. Existing additives, natural flavouring agents and ordinary foods used as additives are permitted outside that list and are not imported, so an empty row does not show that Japan does not permit the substance. | ||
| South Korea | No listing matchedThis site imports Part III of South Korea’s Standards and Specifications for Food Additives, matched by CAS number, then INS number, then exact name. Mixed preparations and sanitisers are not imported, and an entry whose identifiers disagreed with a page’s is held for review, so an empty row does not show that South Korea does not permit the substance. | ||
| United States | Not listedDoes not appear on this jurisdiction’s permitted list. That is not the same as being prohibited. | ||
| Codex Alimentarius | Permitted, with conditions | 75 food categories highest permitted level 10,000 mg/kg Show every food category and its notes
| CXS 192-1995 Table One, INS 160b(i)and 74 further provisionsretrieved 2026-09-07 |
How much is permitted
A listing usually limits the quantity as well as the food. Only one of the forms that takes is a figure: quantum satis and good manufacturing practice permit the amount the technological effect requires and no more, which is a limit rather than the absence of one. Figures below are the range across every food category this page is listed in, and categories differ between regulators — see how much is permitted.
| European Union | 10 mg/kg – 80 mg/kg | 26 numeric limit |
|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | 10 mg/kg – 80 mg/kg | 24 numeric limit, 1 several limits |
| Codex Alimentarius | 10 mg/kg – 10,000 mg/kg | 75 numeric limit |
What it is made from
Extracted from the seed coat of Bixa orellana using vegetable oil or an organic solvent. Bixin is fat-soluble, which is why this form is used for fatty foods; the water-soluble norbixin form is listed separately.
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
Compare other additives on the dietary indexes.
- CAS registry number
- 6983-79-5
- InChIKey
- RAFGELQLHMBRHD-SLEZCNMESA-N
- PubChem
- CID 5281226
The two specifications, compared
The European Union sets identity and purity by regulation; JECFA publishes its own through FAO, advisory until a country adopts it. Both documents are below in full. These are the parameters each puts a number on.
| Parameter | European Union | JECFA |
|---|---|---|
| Assay | no less than 85 % | no less than 25 % |
| Lead | no more than 1 mg/kg | no more than 2 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | no more than 2 mg/kg | no more than 3 mg/kg |
| Mercury | no more than 1 mg/kg | no more than 1 mg/kg |
| Cadmium | no more than 0.5 mg/kg | — |
3 parameters differ between the two documents. A difference is not a disagreement about safety: the two are revised on their own cycles, and an assay or a drying loss can be measured against a different preparation of the substance, which is why only the contaminant ceilings are marked. Within the EU the EU's figure is the one that binds.
How the EU defines it
The legal specification an additive must meet to be sold as this E number in the EU — what it is, how it may be made, and the purity it must reach. From Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.
E 160b(i) Annatto bixin
Solvent-extracted bixin is obtained by the extraction of the outer coating of the seeds of the annatto tree (Bixa orellana L.) with one or more of the following food grade solvents: acetone, methanol, hexane, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, alkaline alcohol or supercritical carbon dioxide. The resulting preparation may be acidified, followed by the removal of the solvent, drying and milling. Solvent-extracted bixin contains several coloured components; the major colouring principle is cis-bixin, a minor colouring principle is trans-bixin; thermal degradation products of bixin may also be present as a result of processing.
Synonyms: Annatto B, Orlean, Terre orellana, L. Orange, CI Natural Orange 4
Assay, identification and purity criteria
Description and assay
- Colour Index No
- 75120
- Einecs
- 230-248-7
- Chemical name
- cis-Bixin: Methyl (9-cis)-hydrogen-6,6'-diapo-Ψ,Ψ-carotenedioate
- Chemical formula
- cis-Bixin: C₂₅H₃₀O₄
- Molecular weight
- 394,5
- Assay
- Not less than 85 % colouring matter (expressed as bixin) E1 % 1cm 3090 at ca. 487 nm in tetrahydrofuran and acetone
- Description
- Dark red-brown to red-purple powder
Identification
- Solubility
- Insoluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol
- Spectrometry
- The sample in acetone shows absorbance maxima at about 425, 457 and 487 nm
- Solubility
- Insoluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol
- Spectrometry
- The sample in acetone shows absorbance maxima at about 425, 457 and 487 nm
Purity criteria
- Norbixin
- Not more than 5 % of total colouring matters
- Residual Solvents
- Acetone: Not more than 30 mg/kg Methanol: Not more than 50 mg/kg Hexane: Not more than 25 mg/kg
- Ethanol: Isopropyl alcohol: Ethyl acetate:
- not more than 50 mg/kg, singly or in combination
- Arsenic
- Not more than 2 mg/kg
- Lead
- Not more than 1 mg/kg
- Mercury
- Not more than 1 mg/kg
- Cadmium
- Not more than 0,5 mg/kg
- Colour Index No
- 75120
- Einecs
- 230-248-7
- Chemical name
- cis-Bixin: Methyl (9-cis)-hydrogen-6,6'-diapo-Ψ,Ψ-carotenedioate
- Chemical formula
- cis-Bixin: C₂₅H₃₀O₄
- Molecular weight
- 394,5
- Assay
- Not less than 25 % colouring matter (expressed as bixin) E1 % 1cm 3090 at ca. 487 nm in tetrahydrofuran and acetone
- Description
- Dark red-brown to red-purple powder
- Norbixin
- Not more than 7 % of total colouring matters
- Arsenic
- Not more than 2 mg/kg
- Lead
- Not more than 1 mg/kg
- Mercury
- Not more than 1 mg/kg
- Cadmium
- Not more than 0,5 mg/kg
How JECFA defines it
The international specification for identity and purity, prepared by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and published by FAO. It is a different document from any above, written by a different body and revised on its own cycle; it is advisory, and a country adopts it or does not.
INS 160b(i) Annatto Extract (Aqueous-Processed Bixin)
Aqueous-processed bixin is prepared by removal of the outer coating of the seeds of the annatto tree ( Bixa orellana L) by abrading the seeds in the presence of cold, mildly-alkaline water. The resultant preparation is acidified to precipitate bixin which is then filtered, dried and milled. Aqueous-processed bixin contains several coloured components; the major colouring principle is cis -bixin, a minor colouring principle is trans - bixin; thermal degradation products of bixin may also be present as a result of processing. Products supplied to the food industry may be formulated with appropriate carriers of food grade quality.
Synonyms: Annatto E, Orlean, Terre orellana, L. Orange, CI (1975) 75120 (Natural Orange 4), INS 160b(i) Annatto E; CI (1975) 75120 (Natural Orange 4); L. Orange; Orlean; Terre orellana
Assay, identification and purity criteria
Description and assay
- Specification history
- ANNATTO EXTRACTS (AQUEOUS-PROCESSED BIXIN) Prepared at the 67 th JECFA (2006) and published in FAO JECFA Monographs 3 (2006), superseding specifications prepared at the 61 st JECFA (2003) and published in FNP 52 Add 11 (2003) and in the Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications, FAO JECFA Monographs 1 (2005). An ADI for bixin of 0 – 12 mg/kg bw and a group ADI for norbixin and its disodium and dipotassium salts of 0 – 0.6 mg/kg bw expressed as norbixin were established at the 67 th JECFA (2006). The colouring matters bixin and norbixin derived from annatto extracts (solvent-extracted bixin; solvent-extracted norbixin; aqueous-processed bixin; alkali-processed norbixin, acid-precipitated; and alkali-processed norbixin, not acid-precipitated) are included in the ADIs for bixin and norbixin. All previous ADIs for annatto extracts were withdrawn.
- Chemical name
- cis- Bixin: Methyl (9- cis )-hydrogen-6,6'-diapo- Ψ , Ψ -carotenedioate
- C.A.S. number
- cis- Bixin: 6983-79-5
- Chemical formula
- C25H30O4
- Structural formula
- COOCH3 COOH cis -Bixin
- Formula weight
- 394.5
- Assay
- Not less than 25% colouring matter (expressed as bixin)
- DESCRIPTION
- Dark red-brown to red-purple powder
- FUNCTIONAL USES
- Colour
- METHOD OF ASSAY
- Proceed as directed in Food Colours, Colouring Matters Content by Spectrophotometry (Vol. 4), procedure 2, using 10 ml tetrahydrofuran to dissolve the sample and acetone in place of cyclohexane. Measure the absorbance at the Amax of about 487 nm. The specific absorbance (A 1% 1 cm) is 3090.
Identification
- Solubility (Vol. 4)
- Insoluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol
- UV/VIS absorption (Vol. 4)
- The sample in acetone shows absorbance maxima at about 425, 457 and 487 nm
- Thin Layer Chromatography
- Activate a TLC plate (e.g. LK6D SILICA GEL 60 A (layer thickness: 250 μ m, size: 5 x 20 cm)) for 1 h at 110 ˚ . Prepare a 5% solution of the sample in 95% ethanol and apply 10 μl to the plate. Allow to dry and develop using a mixture of n-butanol, methyl ethyl ketone and 10% aqueous ammonia (3:2:2 by volume) until the solvent front has ascended about 10 cm. Allow to dry. Bixin and norbixin appear as yellow spots with Rf values of about 0.50 to 0.45, respectively. Spray with 5% sodium nitrite solution and then with 0.5 mol/l sulfuric acid and the spots immediately decolourise.
Purity criteria
- Norbixin (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 7 % of total colouring matters
- Arsenic (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 3 mg/kg Determine using an ICP-AES/AAS-Hydride technique. Alternatively, determine arsenic using Method II of the Arsenic Limit Test. The selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may be based on the principles of the methods described in Volume 4.
- Lead (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 2 mg/kg Determine using an AAS ICP-AES technique appropriate to the specified level. The selection of the sample size and method of sample preparation may be based on the principles of the method described in Volume 4.
- Mercury (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 1 mg/kg Determine using cold vapour atomic absorption technique. Select sample size appropriate to the specified level.
INS 160b(i) Annatto extract (solvent-extracted bixin)
Solvent-extracted bixin is obtained by the removal of the outer coating of the seeds of the annatto tree ( Bixa orellana L) with one or more of the following food grade solvents: acetone, methanol, hexane, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, alkaline alcohol or supercritical carbon dioxide. The resulting preparation may be acidified, followed by the removal of the solvent, drying and milling. Solvent-extracted bixin contains several coloured components; the major colouring principle is cis -bixin, a minor colouring principle is trans -bixin; thermal degradation products of bixin may also be present as a result of processing. Products supplied to the food industry may be formulated with appropriate carriers of food grade quality.
Synonyms: Annatto B, Orlean, Terre orellana, L. Orange, CI (1975) 75120 (Natural Orange 4), INS 160b(i) Annatto B; CI (1975) 75120 (Natural Orange 4); L. Orange; Orlean; Terre orellana
Assay, identification and purity criteria
Description and assay
- Specification history
- ANNATTO EXTRACTS (SOLVENT-EXTRACTED BIXIN) Prepared at the 80 th JECFA and published in FAO JECFA Monographs 17 (2015) superseding specifications prepared at the 67 th JECFA (2006) published in FAO JECFA Monographs 3 (2006). An ADI for bixin of 0 – 12 mg/kg bw was established at the 67 th JECFA (2006).
- Chemical name
- cis- Bixin: Methyl (9- cis )-hydrogen-6,6'-diapo-Ψ,Ψ-carotenedioate
- C.A.S. number
- cis- Bixin: 6983-79-5
- Chemical formula
- cis- Bixin: C25H30O4
- Structural formula
- COOCH3 COOH cis -Bixin
- Formula weight
- 394.5
- Assay
- Not less than 85 % colouring matter (expressed as bixin)
- DESCRIPTION
- Dark red-brown to red-purple powder
- FUNCTIONAL USES
- Colour
- METHOD OF ASSAY
- Proceed as directed in Food Colours, Colouring Matters Content by Spectrophotometry (Vol. 4), procedure 2, using 10 ml tetrahydrofuran to dissolve the sample and acetone in place of cyclohexane. Measure the absorbance at the Amax of about 487 nm. The specific absorbance (A 1% 1 cm) is 3090.
Identification
- Solubility (Vol. 4)
- Insoluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol
- UV/VIS absorption (Vol. 4)
- The sample in acetone shows absorbance maxima at about 425, 457 and 487 nm
- Thin Layer Chromatography
- Activate a TLC plate (e.g. LK6D SILICA GEL 60 A (layer thickness: 250 m, size: 5 x 20 cm)) for 1 h at 110 ˚ . Prepare a 5% solution of the sample in 95% ethanol and apply 10 μl to the plate. Allow to dry and develop using a mixture of n-butanol, methyl ethyl ketone and 10% aqueous ammonia (3:2:2 by volume) until the solvent front has ascended about 10 cm. Allow to dry. Bixin and norbixin appear as yellow spots with Rf values of about 0.50 to 0.45, respectively. Spray with 5% sodium nitrite solution and then with 0.5 mol/l sulphuric acid and the spots immediately decolourise.
Purity criteria
- Norbixin (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 2.5 % of total colouring matters.
- Residual Solvents
- Acetone: Not more than 30 mg/kg Methanol: Not more than 50 mg/kg Hexane: Not more than 25 mg/kg Ethanol: Isopropyl alcohol: Not more than 50 mg/kg, singly or in combination Ethyl acetate: See description under TESTS
- Arsenic (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 3 mg/kg Determine using an AAS (Hydride generation technique) appropriate to the specified level. The selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may be based on principles of methods described in Volume 4 (under “General Methods, Metallic Impurities”).
- Lead (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 2 mg/kg Determine using an AAS (Electrothermal atomization technique) appropriate to the specified level. The selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may be based on principles of methods described in Volume 4 (under “General Methods, Metallic Impurities”).
- Mercury (Vol. 4)
- Not more than 1 mg/kg Determine using AAS (Cold vapour generation technique). The selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may be based on principles of methods described in Volume 4 (under “General Methods, Metallic Impurities”).
- Residual solvents
- Proceed as directed in Residual Solvents by Headspace Gas Chromatography (Vol. 4) using the following: Stock standard solutions Add 10 ml dimethylformamide to a 20 ml volumetric flask. Accurately weigh, to within 0.01 mg, each flask. Pipet 250 μ l each of chromatography grade methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and ethyl acetate, and 150 μ l each of acetone and hexane into each of the flask. Reweigh accurately and then fill the flask with dimethylformamide. Mix well. Standard mixture solution A: Pipet each 3.0 ml of stock standard solution into a 20 ml volumetric flask and fill the flask with dimethylformamide. Standard mixture solution B: Pipet 4.0 ml solution A into a 10 ml volumetric flask and fill the flask with dimethylformamide. Standard mixture solution C: Pipet 2.0 ml solution A into a 20 ml volumetric flask and fill the flask with dimethylformamide. Standard mixture solution D: Pipet 1.0 ml solution A into a 20 ml volumetric flask and fill the flask with dimethylformamide. Samples Weigh accurately 0.2 g sample into a 20 ml injection vial. Add 2.5 ml dimethylformamide and seal. Standard solutions Introduce 0.1 ml of the each standard mixture solution (A, B, C and D) into each 20 ml injection vial. Add 2.4 ml dimethylformamide and seal. Standard curves Place the four standard solutions in the sample tray on head-space gas chromatography. Heat vials at 60° for 20 min with continuous agitation. Analyze using the analytical condition as described above. Measure the peak area for each solvent. Construct the standard curves by plotting the ratios of the peak areas of each solvent against the concentrations of each solvent (mg/ml) in the standards solutions. Procedure Place the sample solution in the sample tray on head-space gas chromatograph. Heat vials at 60° for 20 min with continuous agitation. Analyze using the analytical conditions for Residual Solvents by Headspace Gas Chromatography as described in Vol. 4. Measure the peak area for each solvent and obtain the concentration of each solvent (C, mg/ml) from the standard curves. Calculation Calculate the concentration of each residual solvent in samples from; Residual solvent (mg/kg) = C × 2.5/W × 1000 where: W is weight of sample (g).
Every name it appears under
50 recorded names. A label may use any of them.
E number
- E160B
- E160b(i)
INS number
- 160b(i)
CAS registry number
- 6983-79-5
As it appears in regulation
- Annatto bixin
Other names
- (9-cis)-6,6'-diapo-?,?-carotenedioic acid 6-methyl ester; a-Bixin; Bixinol
- .ALPHA.-BIXIN
- 6'-methyl hydrogen 9'-cis-6,6'-diapocarotene-6,6'-dioate
- 6'-methyl hydrogen 9'-Z-6,6'-diapocarotene-6,6'-dioate
- 6,6'-DIAPO-.PSI.,.PSI.-CAROTENEDIOIC ACID, 6-METHYL ESTER, 9-CIS-
- 6-Methyl hydrogen (9Z)-6,6'-diapocarotene-6,6'-dioate
- a-Bixin
- alpha-Bixin
- Annatto (E 160b)
- Annatto bixin
- ANNATTO EXTRACTS, BIXIN-BASED
- Bixin
- Bixin, >=95.0% (HPLC)
- Bixinol
- BIXINS CIS-FORM
- CCRIS 9384
- cis-Bixin
- E 160b(i)
- Isobixin
- Methyl (9-cis)-hydrogen-6,6'-diapo-psi,psi-carotenedioate
- Stable bixin
Systematic names
- (2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E)-20-methoxy-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-20-oxoicosa-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaenoic acid
- (2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16Z,18E)-20-methoxy-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-20-oxo-icosa-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaenoic acid
- (2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16Z,18E)-20-methoxy-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-20-oxoicosa-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaenoic acid
- 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-EICOSANONAENEDIOIC ACID, 4,8,13,17-TETRAMETHYL-, 1-METHYL ESTER, (2E,4Z,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E)-
- 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-Eicosanonaenedioic acid, 4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-, monomethyl ester, (2E,4Z,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E)-
- 20-methoxy-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-20-oxoicosa-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaenoic acid
Hazard reference values
| Type | Value | Population | Assessed by | Opinion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADI | 6 mg/kg bw/day | consumers | EFSA | 2017 |
Evidence and how bodies read it
What assessing bodies concluded
Each conclusion is paraphrased in the body's own framing, from the published opinion linked beneath it. Where bodies differ, both stand; this site does not adjudicate between them or add a view of its own.
EFSA 2019
The FAF Panel concluded that annatto E does not raise concern for genotoxicity, so the 2016 ADIs for bixin (6 mg/kg bw/day) and norbixin (0.3 mg/kg bw/day) also apply to it. Bixin exposure did not exceed its ADI; norbixin reached its ADI for high-consuming toddlers in one country, which, given likely overestimation, the Panel concluded does not raise a health concern.
EFSA 2016
The ANS Panel concluded that the safety of the currently authorised annatto extracts (E 160b) could not be assessed for lack of identity and toxicity data, and recommended specifications for newly defined extracts. For those, it derived ADIs of 6 mg bixin/kg bw/day and 0.3 mg norbixin/kg bw/day; bixin exposure was below its ADI, while norbixin exposure exceeded its ADI at high percentiles for some groups under the proposed extension of use.
Common questions
Assembled from what is above, in the words the questions are usually asked in. Each answer is the same statement the relevant section makes, with the same citations behind it.
- What is E 160b(i)?
- E 160b(i) is Annatto extracts, bixin-based. Bixin is the oil-soluble form of annatto, an orange-yellow colour from the seed coat of the achiote tree. It is the colour of many hard cheeses, including Red Leicester and some cheddars, and of butter and margarine.
- What is Annatto extracts, bixin-based used for in food?
- It is listed as a colour — the role Codex and the EU assign it. This page shows every function each regulator records, with the citation for each.
- Where is Annatto extracts, bixin-based permitted?
- Of the seven regulators this site reads, the EU, Great Britain and the Codex standard permit it. Each permission is for named foods at named levels, not a blanket one; the table on this page gives them with citations.
- Is Annatto extracts, bixin-based vegan?
- Yes. Annatto extracts, bixin-based is not derived from animals, and is suitable for vegetarians. This page says what it is made from and how.
Sources for this page
- eu retrieved 2026-10-18
- gb retrieved 2026-10-18
- gsfa retrieved 2026-09-07
- euspecs retrieved 2026-10-18
- jecfaspecs retrieved 2026-09-23
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