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Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin
Also known as: E161j, E161
Low concern
Astaxanthin is permitted as a feed and food/supplement ingredient. EFSA established an ADI of 0.2 mg/kg bw/day (later refined to 0.034 mg/kg bw/day for some sources).
Found in
94 products
E-number
E161
What it is
Astaxanthin — a red-orange xanthophyll carotenoid pigment found in microalgae, salmon, and crustaceans.
Color additive (E 161j), antioxidant; used to color salmonid feed.
Why it's flagged
- high-dose supplementation may cause skin pigmentation changes
- limited long-term human data
What regulators actually say
"Astaxanthin may be safely used as a color additive in salmonid fish feed."
"The Panel concluded that an ADI of 0.034 mg/kg bw/day for astaxanthin can be derived."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
GRAS for some preparations; approved for salmonid feed (21 CFR 73.35)
European Union — EFSA
ADI 0.2 mg/kg bw/day; lower for some applications
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