Food orange 7, the ethyl

ester In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides a ...

of beta-apo-8'-carotenic acid, is a carotenoid with an orange-red color. It is found in small quantities in some plants, but is often produced commercially from

apocarotenal Apocarotenal, or ''trans''-β-apo-8'-carotenal, is a carotenoid found in spinach and citrus fruits. Like other carotenoids, apocarotenal plays a role as a precursor of vitamin A, even though it has 50% less pro-vitamin A activity than β-caroten ...

(E160e). It is used as a

food coloring Food coloring, or color additive, is any dye, pigment, or substance that imparts color when it is added to food or drink. They come in many forms consisting of liquids, powders, gels, and pastes. Food coloring is used in both commercial food ...

under the E number E160f and is approved for use in the EU and Australia and New Zealand Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code where it is listed as food additive 160f; it is banned in the United States.

References

{{Carotenoids Food colorings Apocarotenoids Ethyl esters Cyclohexenes