Lycopene
Score impact
+0.50
points/product
Description
Lycopene (E160D) is a food additive classified as a natural colorant belonging to the group of carotenoids. It is the pigment responsible for the characteristic red color of tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, and other fruits and vegetables. Industrially, lycopene is mainly obtained by solvent extraction (such as ethyl acetate or hexane) from ripe tomatoes, or by fermentation of the fungus Blakeslea trispora. It can also be produced by chemical synthesis, although the natural version is the most common in the EU. Lycopene is a tetraterpenoid hydrocarbon with formula C40H56, insoluble in water but soluble in fats and organic solvents. It is sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen, so it is often stabilized with antioxidants such as vitamin E.
Its main function is to provide red color to foods, but it is also valued for its antioxidant activity. Lycopene was approved as a food additive in the European Union in 2008 (Regulation EC 1333/2008) after an evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.5 mg/kg body weight/day, based on subchronic toxicity studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) also evaluated lycopene and set an ADI of 0.5 mg/kg/day.
Regarding food safety, lycopene is considered safe at authorized doses, with no evidence of significant adverse effects in humans. On labeling, it must be declared as 'lycopene' or 'E160D'. Although it is a natural colorant, its use is regulated to avoid excessive intake.
In summary, lycopene is a widely used natural color additive considered safe by health authorities.
Lycopene (E160D) is mainly used in the food industry to impart a red or orange color to various products. According to Regulation EC 1333/2008, it is authorized in several food categories, such as non-alcoholic beverages (juices, nectars, isotonic drinks), dairy products (yogurts, dairy desserts), ice cream, confectionery (candies, chewing gum), sauces (ketchup, tomato sauce), soups, broths, fine bakery products, and food supplements.
In the Spanish market, it is commonly found in strawberry yogurts, fruit smoothies, jellies, jams, and plant-based beverages. Maximum usage levels vary by category: for example, in non-alcoholic beverages up to 30 mg/L, in dairy products up to 20 mg/kg, and in confectionery up to 100 mg/kg. Compared to the US FDA, lycopene is approved as an exempt (natural) colorant and its use is similar, although limits may differ slightly. In Japan, lycopene is also permitted as a natural colorant.
It is important to note that lycopene is often used as an alternative to synthetic red colorants (such as tartrazine E102 or allura red AC E129) due to its natural origin and favorable safety profile.
Lycopene (E160D) has been evaluated by EFSA and JECFA, which concluded that it does not present significant adverse effects at authorized doses. Toxicological studies in animals showed no relevant acute, chronic, genotoxic, or carcinogenic toxicity. In humans, consumption of lycopene through the diet (tomatoes, watermelon) is associated with health benefits due to its antioxidant activity. However, at very high doses (pure lycopene supplements), rare cases of lycopenodermia have been reported, an orange discoloration of the skin that is reversible upon cessation of intake. This effect is not considered toxic, but a benign accumulation of the pigment.
No significant drug interactions with lycopene have been documented at dietary doses. Sensitive populations such as children, pregnant women, or the elderly do not present special risks, as long as established limits are respected. EFSA set an ADI of 0.5 mg/kg/day, which is widely safe considering that the estimated average intake in the European population is below that value.
In conclusion, lycopene is one of the safest colorants, with no documented side effects under normal conditions of use.
- Lycopene
- Natural lycopene
- Synthetic lycopene
- Lycopene
- CI 75125
- Lycopenum
- Tomato extract
- Red carotenoid
- Lycopene concentrate
Classification:
Statistics
16
total views
Something wrong?
If you notice incorrect or incomplete information, help us improve the platform.