E161g — Canthaxanthin

Needs verification

E161g (Canthaxanthin) needs verification. An orange-red colour.

Why it needs verification

Same carrier question as the carotenes — the colour sits in something the label does not name.

Where you meet it

Sausage casings, some drinks, fish feed.

What to do in the shop

Look for a product that names the source, says plant-based or vegan, or carries a halal certificate. If nothing on the packet settles it, the manufacturer can tell you, and their answer is the only thing that turns E161g from a question into an answer.

A status here describes the additive in general — a specific product can be different. The same number can be made from plant or animal material depending on the manufacturer, and the label does not say which.

Questions people ask

Is E161g halal?

E161g (Canthaxanthin) needs verification. Same carrier question as the carotenes — the colour sits in something the label does not name.

How do I know if the E161g in a product is halal?

Only the manufacturer can tell you which source they used, unless the packet says plant-based, vegan, or carries a halal certificate.

Related additives

E160a — Carotenes · Needs verification
E120 — Carmine (cochineal) · Needs verification
E304 — Ascorbyl palmitate · Needs verification

See all E-numbers →

Check a product, not just a number

An additive's status describes the additive in general. What matters is the whole ingredient list on the packet in your hand.

This is information, not a fatwa. These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date. For anything that matters, confirm with the manufacturer and with a qualified authority.