Is E160b (Annatto) Halal?
Generally halal
E160b (Annatto) is an orange-yellow colour extracted from annatto (achiote) seeds — a plant source — so it is generally considered halal.
What is E160b?
Annatto is a natural orange-to-yellow colour extracted from the seeds of the achiote tree. It is widely used to colour cheese, butter, snacks and cereals.
Extracted from annatto seeds (bixin/norbixin) using oil, water or solvents, then purified. The colour is plant-derived.
Why is it generally halal?
Annatto is extracted from a plant seed with no animal-derived material, so it is generally classified as halal. As always, the finished product still needs its own verification, and where a liquid preparation is used its carrier should be food-grade.
Commonly found in
It may be found in — this does not mean every product below contains it.
- Cheese and butter
- Snacks and cereals
- Smoked fish and sauces
- Baked goods
How it appears on labels
AnnattoBixinNorbixinE160bColour (E160b)INS number: 160b
How to verify a product in Singapore
- Ingredient-level guidance is not halal certification — check the complete product, not just this ingredient.
- Look for recognised halal certification, and check the finished product on the official MUIS HalalSG register.
- When the source or processing aids are unclear, contact the manufacturer.
Ingredient guidance is not certification. Verify the finished product on the MUIS HalalSG register or with the manufacturer.
Check MUIS HalalSGSources: EFSA, FAO/WHO, MUIS · Last reviewed: July 2026 · This guidance is not certification.
Frequently asked questions
Is E160b (annatto) halal?
Yes — it is an orange colour extracted from annatto seeds (a plant) with no animal-derived material, so it is generally considered halal. The finished product still needs verification.
Is annatto from animals?
No. It is extracted from the seeds of the achiote plant.
What names should I look for?
'Annatto', 'Bixin', 'Norbixin' or 'E160b'.
Related ingredients
Sources & methodology
- Re-evaluation of annatto (E 160b) as a food additive — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · Plant (annatto seed) origin
- General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) Online Database — Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) · Approved uses and INS number
- Halal Certification — HalalSG — Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) · Singapore halal verification process
Humble Halal methodology: we classify additives by their common origin, not by any specific product. A generally-halal ingredient does not make a finished product halal-certified. This page is general guidance, not certification or religious/legal advice — always verify the complete product. Last reviewed July 2026.