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

E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener)

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.

Comparing:

E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color)

E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener)

Highlight Diffs (10)

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 →

E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) →

E471 is an authorized food emulsifier composed of glycerol esterified with one or two fatty acid chains (glycerol monostearate / monooleate). INS 471, ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), globally recognized as the ultimate crumb softener and amylose complexing agent in bakery.

View full E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters

Parameter / Spec	E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color)	E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener)
E-Number Code	E160a	E471
INS / Codex Number	INS 160a(i) / 160a(ii)	INS 471
Functional Class	Food Color (Yellow-Orange), Provitamin A Fortificant	Emulsifier, Anti-Staling Agent, Crumb Softener, Defoamer
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)	Not Specified (Quantum Satis from dietary/fermentation forms)	Not Limited (Quantum Satis)
Primary Mechanism	11 conjugated double-bond chromophore system absorbing blue-violet light; converts into 2 molecules of retinol (Vitamin A)	Fatty acid chain complexes into helical starch amylose cavity, preventing retrogradation staling
Common Target Foods	Butter, margarine, processed cheeses, orange juices, baked pastries	Sliced sandwich bread, margarines, ice creams, peanut butter (Prevents oil separation), cake mixes
Dietary Compliance	Vegan (Plant/Fermentation), Halal, Kosher Certified	Vegan (When derived from palm/sunflower oil; animal fat variants must be labeled)
Safety Approval	EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.95)	EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1505)
Chemical Formula	C40H56	—
Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB)	—	3.5 – 4.5 (Lipophilic water-in-oil emulsifier)

Other Alternatives to Compare

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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. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine 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. 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) →