Zeaxanthin (E161h)

Zeaxanthin (E161h) is one of the markers Open Food Facts uses to classify a food as ultra-processed (NOVA group 4).

What it is and why it counts

Colours are substances which add or restore colour in a food, and include natural constituents of foods and natural sources which are normally not consumed as foods as such and not normally used as characteristic ingredients of food.

Cosmetic additives

NOVA calls these additives "cosmetic": they change how a product looks, feels or tastes rather than keeping it safe to eat. Their presence is one of the two defining signs of an ultra-processed food.

Function

Colour: Colours are substances which add or restore colour in a food, and include natural constituents of foods and natural sources which are normally not consumed as foods as such and not normally used as characteristic ingredients of food.

Functional class definitions from the EU food additives regulation, via Open Food Facts.

Where it turns up

Zeaxanthin (E161h) appears in 20 of the 40,000 products on this site (0%).

Meal replacements 9 of 56 products
Dried meals 3 of 82 products
Protein powders 3 of 149 products
Dietary supplements 2 of 1,145 products
Carbonara-style pasta 1 of 11 products
Cereal grains 1 of 563 products

Products containing zeaxanthin (E161h)

How the NOVA classification works