Artificially Colored With Beta Carotene

Beta-carotene is a pigment found in plants that gives them their orange and yellow colors. It is naturally present in many fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. In food production, it can be synthesized or extracted from natural sources.

Beta-carotene is used as a food colorant to impart yellow to orange hues. It is often found in products like baked goods, dairy products, beverages, and snacks where a specific color is desired.

Beta-carotene is recognized by the FDA as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use as a food ingredient. It is also a precursor to Vitamin A in the body, meaning the body converts it to Vitamin A as needed. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated beta-carotene. High intake from supplements has been linked to increased lung cancer risk in smokers, but this is not typically seen with dietary beta-carotene from food.