Beta Carotene Vitamin A Palmitate

Beta carotene is a pigment found in plants that gives them their orange, yellow, and red colors. It is also a form of vitamin A, an essential nutrient for vision, immune function, and skin health. Beta carotene can be extracted from natural sources like carrots and sweet potatoes, or it can be synthesized.

Beta carotene is used as a natural food coloring to give products an orange or yellow hue. It is also added as a source of vitamin A, particularly in fortified foods like margarine, cereals, and dairy products. You can find it in baked goods, beverages, and dairy alternatives.

Beta carotene is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a food ingredient. It is also approved as a color additive. The body converts beta carotene into vitamin A as needed, which helps prevent vitamin A toxicity. Both JECFA and EFSA have evaluated beta carotene. High intake from supplements, especially in smokers, has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer in some studies, but this is not typically a concern from food sources.