Annatto vs Beet Juice Powder: which is worse?

What is Annatto?

Annatto is a natural orange-yellow colorant extracted from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), native to tropical America. The active coloring compounds are bixin (oil-soluble) and norbixin (water-soluble). It has been used for centuries in Latin American cuisine for both coloring and mild flavoring. In processed foods, it provides a yellow to orange color in cheese, butter, and snacks.

What is Beet Juice Powder?

Beet juice powder is a deep red-purple colorant extracted from red beets (Beta vulgaris), dried to a concentrated powder. The active pigment is betanin (betalain). It provides natural red-to-pink coloring and also contains antioxidant compounds. It is heat-sensitive and may fade during high-temperature processing.

Documented risks

Annatto: Generally considered safe. However, annatto has been associated with allergic reactions, including hives (urticaria), in sensitive individuals — more frequently than most other natural food colorants. A 2008 review in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology documented cases of annatto-induced reactions. There is also ongoing debate among consumer advocates (including CSPI) about whether annatto is truly risk-free due to these allergic properties, though EFSA and FDA maintain it is safe at approved use levels.

Beet Juice Powder: Generally recognized as safe with no significant toxicological concerns. Consuming beet products can cause beeturia (red/pink urine) and red-tinted stools, which is harmless but may alarm those unaware. Beets are high in oxalates, which could be a concern for individuals with kidney stones (calcium oxalate type) when consuming extremely large quantities of beet concentrate. At normal food coloring use levels, no adverse effects have been identified.