What E161b actually is
Lutein gives a yellow to orange colour and comes mainly from marigold flowers. It is also the pigment concentrated in the macula of the human eye, which is why it is sold separately as a supplement for eye health. Egg yolks are yellow largely because hens are fed marigold extract.
What it is made from
Extracted from marigold petals, and present naturally in kale, spinach, and other dark green leaves. Entirely plant-derived.
Vegan, vegetarian, and halal status
Lutein is plant-derived and suits every dietary requirement. Because it is fat-soluble, encapsulated preparations use a carrier that is occasionally gelatine-based, so certified products are the reliable route if that matters to you.
Is E161b safe?
Lutein is permitted in the EU, UK, and US. EFSA re-evaluated it in 2010 and set an acceptable daily intake of 1 mg per kg of body weight per day. It is the same compound eaten in quantity from leafy greens, and it is widely sold as a supplement at doses above colour-level use. Very high intake can cause carotenodermia, a harmless yellowing of the skin.
- The same compound eaten from kale, spinach, and other leafy greens
- EFSA acceptable daily intake of 1 mg per kg of body weight per day
- Very high intake can yellow the skin, a harmless and reversible effect
- Encapsulated forms may use a gelatine carrier, which would not be vegan
Where regulators stand
- EFSA (EU)
- Re-evaluated in 2010. Acceptable daily intake of 1 mg per kg of body weight per day.
- FDA (US)
- Marigold meal and extract are permitted colour additives, mainly for poultry feed.
Foods it turns up in
- Drinks and flavoured water
- Dairy products and desserts
- Sauces and soups
- Poultry feed, which is why egg yolks are yellow
- Eye-health supplements
Names it hides behind
- E161b
- Lutein
- Marigold extract
- Xanthophyll
- Colour (E161b)
Common questions
- Is lutein the eye supplement the same as E161b?
- Chemically the same compound. Supplement doses are far higher than the amounts used to colour food.
- Is lutein vegan and halal?
- The pigment is extracted from marigold petals, so yes. Check the carrier on encapsulated forms, which can occasionally be gelatine-based.
- Why are egg yolks yellow?
- Largely because hens are fed marigold extract or other lutein sources. Yolk colour reflects the feed rather than the nutritional quality of the egg.
- Does lutein improve eyesight?
- It concentrates in the macula and is studied for eye health, but no health claim is authorised for the food colour, and colour-level amounts are small.
- Is lutein natural?
- Yes. It is a plant extract, present naturally in leafy greens, and permitted in organic food.
Checking a real pack
This page answers the code. The pack in your hand is what decides, because the same code can come from different sources depending on the manufacturer. LabelWise, formerly SafeChoice, scans the label and explains what is in front of you.
LabelWise content is educational and describes how additives are made, regulated, and labelled. It is not medical, dietary, or religious advice. For certification questions, the mark on the pack and the certifying body are the authority.