And Vegetable Annatto Color

Annatto is a natural food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, native to tropical regions of the Americas. The seeds are ground into a powder or processed into a liquid extract, yielding a range of yellow to reddish-orange hues.

Annatto is used to add or enhance yellow and orange colors in a variety of foods. It is commonly found in dairy products like cheese and butter, as well as in baked goods, snacks, and processed meats.

Annatto is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a food coloring. Regulatory bodies like the WHO/FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) have evaluated annatto and established acceptable daily intake levels. While generally considered safe, some individuals may experience allergic reactions, though this is rare.