Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color)
E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid)
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.
E407 (Carrageenan) is a high-molecular-weight sulfated polygalactan extracted from red edible seaweeds (Chondrus crispus / Irish Moss). INS 407, ADI is 75 mg/kg bw/day, famed for stabilizing cocoa suspension in chocolate milk via kappa-casein binding.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E160a | E407 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 160a(i) / 160a(ii) | INS 407 |
|
Functional Class
|
Food Color (Yellow-Orange), Provitamin A Fortificant | Thickener, Gelling Agent, Emulsion Stabilizer |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Specified (Quantum Satis from dietary/fermentation forms) | 75 mg / kg body weight per day |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
11 conjugated double-bond chromophore system absorbing blue-violet light; converts into 2 molecules of retinol (Vitamin A) | Negative sulfate esters cross-link with positive charges on milk kappa-casein micelles |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Butter, margarine, processed cheeses, orange juices, baked pastries | Chocolate milks, whipping creams, plant-based milks, deli turkey meats (water binding) |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Vegan (Plant/Fermentation), Halal, Kosher Certified | 100% Vegan (Marine seaweed), Halal, Kosher |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.95) | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 172.620) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
C40H56 | — |
|
Major Types
|
— | Kappa (Rigid brittle gel), Iota (Elastic thixotropic gel), Lambda (Non-gelling thickener) |
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