Citranaxanthin

International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives: 161i

Food additives Europe numbers: E161i 

Citranaxanthin is an interesting case because it was once a food additive but is no longer in use. Here's a breakdown:

What it Was:

• Citranaxanthin is a natural carotenoid pigment, a type of coloring agent found in some fruits and vegetables like watermelon rind and paprika.

Past Use as a Food Additive (Delisted):

• In the past, citranaxanthin was explored as a potential food coloring agent to achieve a yellow or orange color in some processed foods.
• Delisted Status: However, its use as a food additive has been delisted or banned by regulatory bodies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to safety concerns.

Reasons for Delisting:

• The specific reasons for delisted status can vary, but it likely involved concerns about potential health risks or a lack of sufficient safety data to support its continued use in food.

Not a Current Food Additive:

• It's important to note that citranaxanthin is not an approved food additive currently. You won't find it listed in the ingredients of modern processed foods.

Natural Occurrence:

• While not used as an additive, citranaxanthin still exists naturally in some consumable plants like watermelon rinds and paprika. The amounts naturally present in these foods are likely very low and generally not considered a safety concern.