/

Side-by-Side Comparison Food Additives & E-Numbers

E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative)

Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 9 key differences identified.

Comparing:

E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color)

E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative)

Highlight Diffs (9)

E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) →

E160a (Beta-Carotene) is a fat-soluble orange carotenoid tetraterpenoid obtained by synthesis, fermentation of Blakeslea trispora, or plant extraction. INS 160a(i)/(ii), ADI is Not Specified, providing deep orange-yellow hues in dairy, juices, and fats.

View full E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) spec sheet →

E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) →

E220 (Sulfur Dioxide / SO2) is an inorganic gas dissolved in water to generate bisulfite and sulfite ions, providing potent antimicrobial and polyphenol oxidase enzyme-inhibiting properties. INS 220, group ADI is 0.7 mg/kg bw/day.

View full E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

9 Parameters

Parameter / Spec	E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color)	E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative)
E-Number Code	E160a	E220
INS / Codex Number	INS 160a(i) / 160a(ii)	INS 220
Functional Class	Food Color (Yellow-Orange), Provitamin A Fortificant	Preservative, Antioxidant, Enzymatic Browning Inhibitor
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)	Not Specified (Quantum Satis from dietary/fermentation forms)	0.7 mg / kg body weight per day (as SO2 equivalent)
Chemical Formula	C40H56	SO2
Primary Mechanism	11 conjugated double-bond chromophore system absorbing blue-violet light; converts into 2 molecules of retinol (Vitamin A)	Molecular SO2 penetrates microbial membranes; bisulfite (HSO3-) cleaves disulfide bonds in enzymes and binds acetaldehyde
Common Target Foods	Butter, margarine, processed cheeses, orange juices, baked pastries	Wines (Contains sulfites declaration >10mg/L), dried apricots, ciders, potato starch
Dietary Compliance	Vegan (Plant/Fermentation), Halal, Kosher Certified	Vegan, Halal, Kosher, Major Allergen Declaration Mandatory
Safety Approval	EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.95)	EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 182.3862 - Banned on raw produce)

Other Alternatives to Compare

Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E100: Curcumin (Turmeric Yellow Color) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E101: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 Yellow Color) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E140: Chlorophyll & Chlorophyllins (Green Color) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E150d: Sulfite Ammonia Caramel (Class IV Caramel) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E160c: Paprika Extract (Capsanthin / Capsorubin) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E162: Beetroot Red (Betanin) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E163: Anthocyanins (Grape Skin & Berry Red/Purple) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E200: Sorbic Acid (Antifungal Preservative) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E211: Sodium Benzoate (Acid Beverage Preservative) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E224: Potassium Metabisulfite (Campden Salt) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E260: Acetic Acid (Vinegar Acidulant / Preservative) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E270: Lactic Acid (Biological Acidulant) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E282: Calcium Propionate (Bread Anti-Mold) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E290: Carbon Dioxide (Carbonation & MAP Gas) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E300: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Antioxidant & Flour Improver) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E330: Citric Acid (Universal Acidulant / Chelator) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E338: Phosphoric Acid (Cola Acidulant) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E410: Locust Bean Gum (Carob Bean Gum / LBG) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E414: Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum Emulsifier) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E422: Glycerol (Glycerin Humectant & Solvent) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E460: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC / Dietary Bulking) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E503: Ammonium Bicarbonate (Baker's Ammonia / Hartshorn) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E635: Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides (I+G Blend) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E955: Sucralose (Splenda / 600x Heat-Stable Sweetener) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E967: Xylitol (Birch Sugar / Dental Caries Inhibitor) → Compare E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol) →