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Source
Not animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Annatto is used to impart a yellow to orange color to foods, often replacing …
What it is
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 paste or liquid extract, yielding a range of yellow to deep orange hues.
Why it's used
Annatto is used to impart a yellow to orange color to foods, often replacing artificial colorings. It is commonly found in cheeses, butter, popcorn, baked goods, and processed meats like sausages and hot dogs.
Health notes
In the U.S., 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. International bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated annatto and have not set numeric limits for its intake.
Allergen info
Annatto is not derived from any of the 9 FDA major allergens and is gluten-free.
Note:
This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice.
Check the package label; formulations change.