Vegetable Juice & Beta Carotene

Vegetable juice is made from the edible parts of vegetables, such as roots, stems, leaves, and fruits. It can be a single vegetable or a blend of several. Beta-carotene is a pigment found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, giving them orange and yellow colors. It can be extracted from plants or synthesized.

Vegetable juice is used as a natural colorant and flavor enhancer in foods like yogurts, cheeses, and beverages. Beta-carotene is widely used as a food coloring agent, providing yellow to orange hues, and is also added to fortify foods with vitamin A.

Both vegetable juice and beta-carotene are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as food ingredients. Beta-carotene is an important antioxidant and a precursor to vitamin A. High intake of beta-carotene from supplements has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers, but this is not typically a concern from food sources. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated beta-carotene, and it is permitted for use in many countries.