Lutein
The short version
A natural xanthophyll carotenoid from marigold petals — clean-label yellow and the dominant macular-pigment supplement.
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 1 mg/kg body weight per day (EFSA 2010 re-evaluation, for lutein from Tagetes erecta); EFSA noted that high-end intake estimates at the use levels of the time were above this ADI. JECFA's group ADI of 0–2 mg/kg body weight (2004) was changed in 2018 to 'not specified' for lutein and lutein esters from Tagetes erecta and synthetic zeaxanthin. Supplemental use has a longer safety history with no documented adverse effects at typical intake. Unlike canthaxanthin, no retinopathy concerns at any realistic dose.
Sources
- EFSA — Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of lutein (E 161b) as a food additive (2010) — European Food Safety Authority (ANS Panel), 2010. EFSA ADI 1 mg/kg bw/day (not 0–2)
- WHO JECFA database — Lutein from Tagetes erecta (INS 161b(i)) — Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2018. JECFA group ADI 0–2 (2004) changed to 'not specified' (2018)
- EU — Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex II (consolidated text of 18.08.2026) — Publications Office of the European Union, 2026. EU: lutein is in Group III, colours with combined maximum limits
- US eCFR — 21 CFR 73.295 Tagetes (Aztec marigold) meal and extract (version of 2026-10-13) — Office of the Federal Register / US FDA, 2026. Marigold (Tagetes erecta) colour in chicken feed for skin and egg yolk colour
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.