E160d: Lycopene

What is E160d (Lycopene)?

Lycopene (E160d) is a naturally occurring bright red carotenoid pigment and phytochemical responsible for the red color in tomatoes, watermelons, pink grapefruits, and guavas. As a food additive, it is used to provide red coloring to various products. Lycopene is notable not just as a colorant but also for its significant antioxidant activity, and epidemiological studies have associated high lycopene intake with reduced risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease.

Source and Production

Lycopene used as E160d can be sourced in two ways:

From Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum):

1. Ripe tomatoes or tomato paste are the primary commercial source 2. Lycopene is extracted using food-grade solvents 3. The extract is purified and standardized

Synthetic Lycopene:

1. Produced by total chemical synthesis 2. Identical molecular structure to naturally occurring lycopene 3. May be labeled "lycopene" or specified as "synthetic lycopene"

The resulting product is an orange-red to deep red oil-soluble pigment.

Common Uses in Food

E160d provides a red to orange-red color in:

• Tomato-based products (sauces, soups, juices)
• Beverages and fruit drinks
• Confectionery and sweets
• Dairy products (flavored yogurts, ice cream)
• Dietary supplements and functional foods
• Meat products and processed meats
• Sausages and meat analogues
• Some baked goods

Health and Safety

Potential Health Benefits

Lycopene stands out among food colorings for its established health associations:

• Antioxidant activity: Among the most potent antioxidants in the carotenoid family — its antioxidant activity is roughly twice that of beta-carotene
• Cancer risk reduction: Multiple epidemiological studies associate high lycopene intake with reduced risk of prostate, lung, and stomach cancers
• Cardiovascular protection: May help reduce LDL cholesterol oxidation and cardiovascular disease risk
• Bone health: Some research suggests a role in maintaining bone density
• Eye health: May protect against age-related macular degeneration

Safety Profile

• Generally very well tolerated with an excellent safety record
• Lycopenemia: Consuming very large quantities of lycopene-rich foods can cause a harmless orange-red discoloration of the skin (lycopenemia) — reversible on reducing intake
• No significant adverse effects reported at normal dietary or supplemental intakes

Regulatory Status

• European Union: Approved as E160d, used in a wide range of food products
• United States: GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe); approved as a color additive
• ADI: Not specified at EU level, reflecting its high safety profile

Identification on Labels

Lycopene may appear on labels as:

• E160d
• Lycopene
• Lycopene from tomatoes
• Synthetic lycopene

Alternatives

Other natural red colorings:

• Betanin/Beetroot Red (E162): Red from beetroot
• Cochineal/Carmine (E120): Red from insects
• Anthocyanins (E163): Purple-red from berries
• Paprika extract (E160c): Orange-red from red peppers

Conclusion

E160d (Lycopene) is one of the most positively regarded food additives, being both a natural coloring agent and a compound with genuine potential health benefits. As an antioxidant with links to reduced cancer and cardiovascular disease risk, lycopene bucks the trend of food coloring additives that raise health concerns. It represents an excellent example of a natural food additive where the evidence points toward benefit rather than harm at normal intake levels.