Paprika Extract (E160c) — What You Need to Know
The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.
What Is Paprika Extract?
Paprika Extract is a natural food coloring derived from the fruits of Capsicum annuum (sweet red peppers). It contains the carotenoid pigments capsanthin and capsorubin, which provide its characteristic orange-red color. It is one of the most widely used natural food colorings globally.
What Is It Used For?
Provides orange to red-orange coloring to cheese, sausages, snacks, and sauces. Commonly used as a natural alternative to synthetic red and orange dyes.
Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.
Regulatory & Editorial Context
Natural color from paprika peppers, containing carotenoid pigments capsanthin and capsorubin. EFSA evaluated and found no safety concerns. Very widely used in both its natural spice form and as an extracted color. May cause reactions in people allergic to peppers or nightshade plants (Solanaceae), though this is rare. Generally considered one of the safest food colorings available.
eNumbers.org currently assigns Paprika Extract an editorial context label of Safe with a score of 9/10. This is 3.2 points above the database average for colorings (5.8/10). Dataset reference year: 2015.
This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.
Commonly Found In
Always check the label for E160c or 'Paprika Extract'
▶Chemical Information
Primary Sources
Source review: 2026-08-08Official references relevant to this page. Check the agency record for current permitted uses, limits and jurisdiction-specific wording.
- European Commission: EU Food Additives Database ↗EU authorisations and conditions of use
- WHO / FAO JECFA: JECFA food-additives database ↗International evaluations and acceptable daily intakes
- European Food Safety Authority: Food colours ↗EFSA colour-additive evaluations and re-evaluation programme
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Food Additive Status List ↗U.S. food-ingredient regulatory references
Frequently Asked Questions about Paprika Extract
Quick Facts
- E-Number
- E160c
- INS Number
- 160c
- Category
- Colorings
- Origin
- Natural
- FDA Status
- Approved (exempt from certification — natural color)
- EFSA Status
- Authorized; ADI not specified (considered safe, no numerical limit needed)
- ADI
- Not specified mg/kg bw/day
- Dataset Review
- 2015
Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.
Related Additives
Other colorings in the same family