Annatto

Studies in people

• Benefit

  Red blood cell health³

  In people, annatto carotenoids taken for 7 days increased red blood cells' resistance to breaking apart.

• No harm found

  Heart health markers⁴

  In people, eating two eggs a day with Annatto for eight weeks did not change blood fats or heart risk markers.

• Benefit

  Post-meal inflammation⁵

  In people, norbixin from annatto curbed inflammation and fat damage after a heavy meal.

• Concern

  Skin reactions to food colour⁶

  In people with long-lasting hives, about a quarter reacted to annatto extract, a colour used in butter.

Animal and lab studies only

• Benefit

  Cancer cell studies¹¹

  In lab studies, cis-bixin from annatto seeds killed multiple myeloma cells, including cells resistant to drugs.

• Benefit

  DNA damage in cells¹²

  In lab studies, annatto helped protect cells from DNA damage caused by some harmful substances, but not others.

Study type not stated

• No harm found

  DNA damage⁹

  Annatto E did not raise concern for DNA damage, scientists concluded.

Single cases of misuse or overdose

One person or one incident, such as an accidental overdose or a mistake in a kitchen or factory. They are real, but a single case does not show what happens at normal amounts, so the signal does not count them.

• Allergic reaction to food dye⁸

  A patient had hives, swelling and a sudden blood pressure drop 20 minutes after eating cereal with annatto dye.

How it’s made and used

• Daily intake limits in young children²

  Annatto's norbixin may be eaten in amounts above the recommended daily limit by toddlers and children.

• What the body absorbs⁷

  Annatto colouring gets into the blood after eating, and levels differ a lot between people.

• Food colouring levels¹⁰

  Scientists measured annatto levels in 165 mixed and two single food samples, finding amounts above the limit they could measure.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.