Depends on the source
- Usually made from
- Plants, algae or synthetic
- Used as
- colour
- Vegan
- Depends on the source
Often supplied in beadlets made with gelatin. Look for “vegetarian”, “vegan” or a halal certificate.
What is E160a?
Carotenes are orange-yellow pigments, mainly beta-carotene. Food-grade versions are made by chemical synthesis, extracted from carrots, palm fruit oil or algae, or produced by fermentation with a fungus. Because beta-carotene does not dissolve in water, it is usually sold as an emulsion or as small beadlets.
Why it's marked “Depends on the source”
The pigment itself comes from plants, algae, fungi or synthesis, which raises no halal issue. The catch is how it is supplied: many beadlet forms embed the colour in gelatin, and some suppliers sell beadlets made with pork gelatin. Other forms use modified starch or gum instead. The label rarely shows the carrier, so E160a alone does not tell you the source.
How to check the label
Look for a halal certificate from a recognised body on the finished product, or ask the manufacturer whether the colour is supplied in gelatin and, if so, from which animal. Products labelled vegan or vegetarian should not contain gelatin carriers.
Where you'll find it
- margarine
- soft drinks
- cheese
- yoghurts
- sweets
Good to know
- EFSA's 2012 re-evaluation could not set an ADI, but found no concern if intake stays close to what people normally get from fruit and vegetables.
- Your body can turn beta-carotene into vitamin A, so it is also added to foods as a vitamin source.
- EU rules cover synthetic beta-carotene, plant carotenes, algal carotenes and beta-carotene made by the fungus Blakeslea trispora.
Similar additives
See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker
This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is E160a halal?
Depends on the source. The pigment itself comes from plants, algae, fungi or synthesis, which raises no halal issue. The catch is how it is supplied: many beadlet forms embed the colour in gelatin, and some suppliers sell beadlets made with pork gelatin. Other forms use modified starch or gum instead. The label rarely shows the carrier, so E160a alone does not tell you the source.
What is E160a made from?
Carotenes are orange-yellow pigments, mainly beta-carotene. Food-grade versions are made by chemical synthesis, extracted from carrots, palm fruit oil or algae, or produced by fermentation with a fungus. Because beta-carotene does not dissolve in water, it is usually sold as an emulsion or as small beadlets.
Is E160a vegan?
It depends on the source. E160a can be made from plant or animal material, so look for a vegan or vegetarian label.