Ingredient

Annat To

Source
Not animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Annatto is primarily used to impart a yellow to deep orange color to foods. …

What is Annat To?

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 extracted into oil or liquid to create the coloring agent.

Is Annat To vegan?

Annat To is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.

Is Annat To gluten-free?

It does not contain gluten.

Is Annat To a major allergen?

Annatto is not derived from any of the 9 FDA major allergens.

What is Annat To used for?

Annatto is primarily used to impart a yellow to deep orange color to foods.

Is Annat To safe?

Annatto is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a food coloring.

Why it's used

Annatto is primarily used to impart a yellow to deep orange color to foods. Manufacturers add it to cheeses, baked goods, pasta, and snack foods to enhance their visual appeal.

Health notes

Annatto is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a food coloring. It is not known to cause adverse health effects at typical consumption levels. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated annatto and found it to be safe. Some individuals may experience allergic reactions, though this is rare.

Allergen info

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

Foods that contain Annat To

Compare products →

Learn more

Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6: What the Evidence Says →

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

Last updated: October 5, 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.