Food Safety Substance
Zeaxanthin
Zeaxanthin is a food additive with Novel food in the EU, FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing in the US, and data from 7 regulatory sources.
Substance Identity
Resolved identifiers used to render this food-safety record.
Multi-Jurisdiction Comparison
Side-by-side status rows for the same resolved substance across public food regulators.
| Jurisdiction | Authority | Status | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | EU Commission | Novel food | - |
| United States | FDA | FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing | GRAS notice |
| Codex | Codex Alimentarius | Listed | Colour |
Codex GSFA Status
Codex Alimentarius GSFA permissions and maximum-use rows.
| Jurisdiction | INS / E-number | Function | Food category | Max level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codex | 161h(i) | Colour | 01.1.4 Flavoured fluid milk drinks | 100 mg/kg | For use in products conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milk (CODEX STAN 243- 2003) at 150 mg/kg.; Excluding chocolate milk. |
FDA GRAS Status
US FDA GRAS notice evidence from enriched and notice tables.
| Jurisdiction | GRN | Substance | FDA response | Intended use | Basis | Notifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 481 | Meso-zeaxanthin | FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing | As an ingredient in a variety of food and beverage applications | Scientific procedures | Industrial Organical S.A. de C.V. |
| United States | 550 | Meso-zeaxanthin | FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing | For use as an ingredient in baked goods and baking mixes, beverages and beverage bases, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, dairy product analogs, egg substitute products, fats and... | Scientific Procedures | INNOBIO Limited |
| United States | 588 | Zeaxanthin from Capsicum annum (paprika) | FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing | For use as an ingredient in baked goods and baking mixes, beverages and beverage bases, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, dairy products analogs, fats and oils, frozen dairy... | Scientific procedures | OmniActive Health Technologies Ltd |
| United States | 639 | Zeaxanthin from marigold | FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing | For use as an ingredient in baby and toddler foods, candies, cereals, dairy products, soups, and beverages at up to 300 micrograms of zeaxanthin per serving | Scientific procedures | Kemin Foods, L. C. |
| United States | 481 | Meso-zeaxanthin | FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing | As an ingredient in a variety of food and beverage applications | Scientific procedures | Industrial Organical S.A. de C.V. |
| United States | 550 | Meso-zeaxanthin | FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing | For use as an ingredient in baked goods and baking mixes, beverages and beverage bases, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, dairy product analogs, egg substitute products, fats and... | Scientific Procedures | INNOBIO Limited |
| United States | 588 | Zeaxanthin from <i>Capsicum annum</i> (paprika) | FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing | For use as an ingredient in baked goods and baking mixes, beverages and beverage bases, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, dairy products analogs, fats and oils, frozen dairy... | Scientific procedures | OmniActive Health Technologies Ltd |
| United States | 639 | Zeaxanthin from marigold | FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing | For use as an ingredient in baby and toddler foods, candies, cereals, dairy products, soups, and beverages at up to 300 micrograms of zeaxanthin per serving | Scientific procedures | Kemin Foods, L. C. |
JECFA ADI Values
JECFA ADI records and evaluation years.
| Jurisdiction | Chemical name | JECFA no. | CAS | ADI | ADI upper | Function | Evaluation year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JECFA | ZEAXANTHIN (synthetic) | - | - | 0-2 mg/kg bw | 2 | COLOUR, NUTRIENT_SUPPLEMENT | 2018 |
| JECFA | ZEAXANTHIN-RICH extract from TAGETES ERECTA | - | - | no_data | - | COLOUR, NUTRIENT_SUPPLEMENT | 2004 |
Cross-Reference to Cosmetics / Chemicals / Pharma
Same-CAS public rows from adjacent Roots verticals where available.
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
This substance has different regulatory treatment across food, cosmetics, and industrial use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Food-use, safety, ADI, and cross-vertical answers mirrored into FAQPage JSON-LD.
What is Zeaxanthin used for in food?
Zeaxanthin appears in food-use rows as: Antioxidant; Colour.
Is Zeaxanthin safe?
This page does not assign a standalone safety verdict; it renders public regulatory evidence. ADI/reference value: EFSA ADI = 0.75 mg/kg bw/day. EU status evidence: Novel food. US/FDA evidence: FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing.
What is the ADI for Zeaxanthin?
Zeaxanthin has this ADI/reference value in the food-safety tables: EFSA ADI = 0.75 mg/kg bw/day. Source: EFSA NDA 2012.
Is Zeaxanthin also used in cosmetics?
Zeaxanthin has a same-CAS cosmetics cross-reference: Zeaxanthin, EU status permitted.