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E160bColorantLow concern
Annatto
In plain words
The short version
A natural orange-red colorant from achiote seeds — generally safe but a documented allergen.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
ADI of 0–12 mg/kg body weight (EFSA 2017 re-evaluation). A documented if uncommon allergen — can cause urticaria, angioedema, and rare anaphylaxis. Specific allergen labelling is recommended (and required in some carrier categories) in the EU.
The detail
Educational information only. Not medical or dietary advice.