canthaxanthin (redirected from E161g)

canthaxanthin (kanˈ·thak·sanˑ·thin),

n an herbal preparation promoted as a tanning agent for the skin. An orange carotenoid approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only as a color additive for food products. When ingested in excessive doses, it has been shown to produce symptoms of retinopathy and accumulation of yellowish gold–colored deposits around the macula.

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canthaxanthin

a carotenoid used as a coloring agent; also administered orally in humans to produce artificial suntan, and to canaries carrying the red factor to produce a stronger red color.

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canthaxanthin

Food industry A synthetic carotenoid which in humans cannot be converted to vitamin A, which has been marketed as a tanning agent under various names; it has been implicated in aplastic anemia. See Artificial dye, Carotenoid, Tanning, Unproven methods for cancer management.