Lutein A

Lutein A in plain language

What it is

On cosmetic ingredient lists it appears as “Xanthophylls”.

Also known as Xanthophylls · Lutein · Leutein · Xanthophyll · Xantofyl · Bo-xan

Show all 33 names

LUTEIN from TAGETES ERECTA · TAGETES extract · .BETA.,.EPSILON.-CAROTENE-3,3'-DIOL · .BETA.,.EPSILON.-CAROTENE-3,3'-DIOL, (3R,3'R,6'R)- · All-trans-lutein · All-trans-xanthophyll · E 161B · Floraglo · Floraglo lutein · Oro glo 7 · Os 24 · Trans-lutein · Vegetable lutein · Vegetable luteol · (3R,3'R,6'R)-Lutein · (3R,3'R,6'R)-beta,epsilon-carotene-3,3'-diol · (3R,3'R,6'R)-β,ε-Carotene-3,3'-diol · (all-E)-Lutein · 6'-Hydro-4',5'-dehydro-β-carotene-3,3'-diol · E 161 · E-161B(I) · Ins NO.161B(I) · INS-161B(I) · \b,\e-Carotene-3,3'Diol, (3R, 3'R, 6'R)-,Lutein · all-trans-(+)-Xanthophyll · beta,epsilon-Carotene-3,3'-diol, (3R,3'R,6'R)- · β,ε-Carotene-3,3'-diol, (3R,3'R,6'R)-

What it does

Used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning agent. Xanthophylls is a class of oxygen-containing carotenoids found throughout nature particularly in plant leaves, egg yolks, nettles, algae and the petals of yellow flowers.

• Skin conditioning
• Colour
• Colour, nutrient supplement
• Humectant
• Conditioner

Is it a concern?

Critical concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.

Why it's flagged

EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 37 composition records across product categories including Personal care.

The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.

• In marketed US drugs

• EU·EFSA·EFSA opinion4 entries

  • Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of lutein (E 161b) as a food additive (EFSA ANS)Source →
  • Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of lutein preparations other than lutein with high concentrations of total saponified carotenoids at levels of at least 80% (EFSA ANS)Source →
  • Safety of use of colouring agents in animal nutrition. Part III: beta-apo-8'-carotenal, ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid, lutein, zeaxanthin and concluding remarks (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
  • Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food on a request from the commission related to Lutein for use in particular nutritional uses (EFSA AFC)Source →
• EU·CosIng·ActiveXanthophylls is a class of oxygen-containing carotenoids found throughout nature particularly in plant leaves, egg yolks, nettles, algae and the petals of yellow flowers.

  • Xanthophylls is a class of oxygen-containing carotenoids found throughout nature particularly in plant leaves, egg yolks, nettles, algae and the petals of yellow flowers.Source →
• EU·EFSA·EFSA statementStatement on the safety assessment of the exposure to lutein preparations based on new data on the use levels of lutein (EFSA ANS)

  • Statement on the safety assessment of the exposure to lutein preparations based on new data on the use levels of lutein (EFSA ANS)Source →
• GLOBAL·JECFA·EvaluatedJECFA evaluation record.

  • JECFA evaluation record.Source →
• GLOBAL·JECFA·0-2 mg/kg bwJECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-2 mg/kg bw. Functional class: colour, nutrient supplement.

  • JECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-2 mg/kg bw. Functional class: colour, nutrient supplement.Source →
• GLOBAL·JECFA·NO ADI ALLOCATEDJECFA evaluation lists ADI NO ADI ALLOCATED. Functional class: colour.

  • JECFA evaluation lists ADI NO ADI ALLOCATED. Functional class: colour.Source →
• US·EPA·commercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 37 composition records across product categories including Personal care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Softener and conditioner, Humectant.

  • EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 37 composition records across product categories including Personal care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Softener and conditioner, Humectant.Source →
• US·FDA·marketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 1 active drug products and 1 total products.

  • FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 1 active drug products and 1 total products.Source →
• US·FDA·listed in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.

  • openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →

Expert safety opinions

Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.

• SCCS

  EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety

  No SCCS opinion on file.

• CIR

  Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)

  No CIR safety assessment on file.

• EFSA

  European Food Safety Authority

  • Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of lutein (E 161b) as a food additive (EFSA ANS)

    2010 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

  • Statement on the safety assessment of the exposure to lutein preparations based on new data on the use levels of lutein (EFSA ANS)

    2012 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

  • Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of lutein preparations other than lutein with high concentrations of total saponified carotenoids at levels of at least 80% (EFSA ANS)

    2011 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

  • Safety of use of colouring agents in animal nutrition. Part III: beta-apo-8'-carotenal, ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid, lutein, zeaxanthin and concluding remarks (EFSA FEEDAP)

    2009 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

  • Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food on a request from the commission related to Lutein for use in particular nutritional uses (EFSA AFC)

    2007 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

• JECFA

  Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

  • JECFA evaluation record.

    Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →

  • JECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-2 mg/kg bw. Functional class: colour, nutrient supplement.

    Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →

  • JECFA evaluation lists ADI NO ADI ALLOCATED. Functional class: colour.

    Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →

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