Ingredient

And Natural Color

Auto-generated content. This description was generated automatically and is pending editorial review. Inaccuracies are possible. Found a mistake? Contact us.

Source
Not animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Annatto is used to provide a yellow to orange color in a variety of …

What it is

Annatto is a natural colorant derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, native to tropical regions of the Americas. The seeds are ground and then extracted with oil or water to produce a yellow to deep orange colorant.

Why it's used

Annatto is used to provide a yellow to orange color in a variety of foods. It is often found in dairy products like cheese and butter, as well as in baked goods, snacks, and processed meats.

Health notes

Annatto is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a food colorant. It is not known to cause adverse health effects at typical consumption levels. International bodies like JECFA have evaluated annatto and established safety guidelines.

Allergen info

Annatto is not derived from any of the 9 FDA major allergens. It does not contain gluten.

Products containing And Natural Color

Compare products →

Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.