food colors

E160F — Ethyl ester of Beta-apo-8-cartonoic acid

Yellow-orange food coloring

Also known as: Ethyl Apocarotenoate · Ethyl Ester of Beta-apo-8-carotenoic Acid

Verification required

Verify — Mushbooh

Source-dependent and requires verification. This additive may be derived from either halal (plant/synthetic) or haraam (animal) sources. Always check the product label or contact the manufacturer to verify the source.

Function Yellow-orange food coloring
Found in margarine, processed cheese & more
Source plant-derived carotenoid ester - may use gelatin as carrier

Checking this in a shop right now?

Vegan / vegetarian label on pack → plant-based source → safe for this code

HFA / HMC / IFANCA / JAKIM logo → independently certified → safe

Neither? Follow the steps below.

School of Thought Breakdown

Hanafi

Verify source

Maliki

May permit

Shafi'i

Avoid if animal

Hanbali

Avoid if animal

Same concern as E160a and E160e - verify gelatin carrier source. Fish gelatin (halal) is used in USA; pork or beef gelatin may be used in UK/EU.

What to do with this product

Follow these steps in order — most products resolve at step 1 or 2

1

Check for a "suitable for vegans" or "suitable for vegetarians" claim

If present, E160F comes from a plant-based source — safe for this code. Still check all other ingredients too.

Vegan / vegetarian claim = plant-sourced = safe
2

Look for a halal certification logo on the pack

An HFA, HMC, IFANCA, JAKIM, or ESMA logo means the source has been independently audited. The E-code is confirmed halal in this product.

Certified logo = independently verified

Neither? Here's what to do next:

📍 In store

Put it back and look for a certified alternative on the same shelf.

Check for products carrying an HFA, HMC, or IFANCA logo, or labelled "suitable for vegans". Either confirms a safe source.

Did you find a certified alternative?

🌐 Shopping online

Verified halal alternatives:

Browse halal alternatives on Amazon

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Background & Details

About E160F

Color - Carotene arotene color is obtained from plant source but it is not available in 100% form because it is not soluble in water. Gelatin is added to help mix in liquid products. In USA fish Gelatin is used so it is Halal in USA but in UK they may not use fish Gelatin but may use Gelatin from pork or beef.

Verification Required

This additive's halal status depends on its source. Check the product label for a halal certification mark, or contact the manufacturer directly.

What is E160F made from?

  • plant-derived carotenoid ester - may use gelatin as carrier

Foods that commonly contain E160F

Food Category Guide

E160F is common in margarine — see the full halal guide →

Always check the ingredient label on the specific product - manufacturers may change formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is E160F (Ethyl ester of Beta-apo-8-cartonoic acid) halal?

E160F (Ethyl ester of Beta-apo-8-cartonoic acid) is classified as Mushbooh (Questionable). Source-dependent and requires verification. This additive may be derived from either halal (plant/synthetic) or haraam (animal) sources. Always check the product label or contact the manufacturer to verify the source.

What is E160F used for?

E160F is used as a yellow-orange food coloring in food products.

What foods contain E160F?

E160F (Ethyl ester of Beta-apo-8-cartonoic acid) is commonly found in: margarine, processed cheese, soups, confectionery.

What is E160F made from?

E160F can be derived from the following sources: plant-derived carotenoid ester - may use gelatin as carrier.

What are the other names for E160F?

E160F may appear on food labels as: Ethyl Apocarotenoate, Ethyl Ester of Beta-apo-8-carotenoic Acid.

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This information is for educational purposes only. For religious rulings, consult a qualified Islamic scholar or halal certification authority. E-code classifications may vary by source, manufacturing process, and school of thought.