Comparing E160AII - Plant carotenes vs E160AI - Beta-carotene

Does beta carotene make you tan?

High intakes can give the skin a yellow‑orange tint (carotenodermia), especially on the palms and soles; it’s not a melanin “tan” and fades when intake is reduced.

Is beta carotene bad for you?

At the amounts used as a food color and from normal diets, it’s considered safe; however, high‑dose supplements have been linked to increased lung cancer risk in smokers and asbestos‑exposed people and can cause temporary skin yellowing.

What foods have beta carotene?

Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, butternut squash, spinach, kale, collards, apricots, mango, cantaloupe, and red/orange peppers are rich sources; it’s also added as color (E160a) to some foods.

Is beta carotene vitamin a?

No—it's a provitamin A carotenoid that your body converts to vitamin A (retinol) as needed.

How much beta carotene per day?

There’s no specific daily requirement for beta‑carotene; most people can meet vitamin A needs via carotenoid‑rich foods, and high‑dose beta‑carotene supplements (around 20 mg/day or more) are not recommended for smokers.