Astaxanthin (E161J): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Astaxanthin is a red carotenoid produced by microalgae such as Haematococcus pluvialis and found naturally in salmon, trout and shellfish. EFSA evaluated it as a novel food and considered it safe within an ADI of 0.2 mg/kg body weight per day. It is widely used as a feed pigment for farmed salmon and as a dietary supplement, but is not authorised as a standalone food colour in the EU/UK.
- Category
- Colour — Carotenoid
- Typically used in
- Salmon and trout feed pigment and dietary supplements; naturally in salmon and shellfish.
- Regulatory status
- Not authorised as a standalone food colour in the EU/UK; permitted as a novel food/supplement and feed additive.
Scrannr flags Astaxanthin automatically when you scan a barcode.
Where this comes from
- EFSA (2020) — Safety of astaxanthin for its use as a novel food in food supplements https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.5993
Products containing Astaxanthin
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