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E160c

Paprika extract

What you need to know

Paprika extract is an orange-red colour made from sweet red peppers. It colours lollies, snacks, sauces and processed meats.

It is one of the standard natural replacements for synthetic red and orange dyes.

EFSA reviewed it in 2015 and found no safety concern at the amounts used in food.

Where it stands, by region

The same additive can be approved in one country and banned in another. This is the divergence that matters most.

🇦🇺AU / NZApproved
Permitted (FSANZ Food Standards Code).
🇪🇺EUApproved
Permitted (EFSA).
🇺🇸USApproved
Permitted (FDA).
🇨🇦CAApproved
Permitted (Health Canada).

Health evidence

How settled the science is for each area — not how dangerous. “Unknown” means not enough good studies yet.

Hyperactivity & behaviour
Unknown
Allergy & intolerance
Unknown
Gut microbiome
Unknown
Metabolic effects
Unknown
Carcinogenicity
Unknown
Cardiovascular
Unknown

Capsanthin/capsorubin-rich oleoresin of Capsicum annuum. EFSA re-evaluation (2015) found no safety concern at reported uses.

Synthesis: Natural-derived (plant)ADI Not established