Rhodoxanthin is a xanthophyll pigment with a purple color that is found in small quantities in a variety of plants including '' Taxus baccata'' and ''

Lonicera morrowii ''Lonicera morrowii'', the Morrow's honeysuckle, is a deciduous honeysuckle in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to Japan, Korea, and Northeast China. It is a shrub, reaching a height of 2–2.5 m, with oblong leaves 4–6 cm long. I ...

''. It is also found in the feathers of some birds. As a

food additive Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance taste, appearance, or other sensory qualities. Some additives have been used for centuries as part of an effort to preserve food, for example vinegar (pickling), salt (salt ...

it is used under the

E number E numbers ("E" stands for "Europe") are codes for substances used as food additives, including those found naturally in many foods such as vitamin C, for use within the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Commonly ...

E161f as a food coloring. It is not approved for use in the EU or US; however, it is approved in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

and New ZealandAustralia New Zealand Food Standards Code (where it is listed under its INS number 161f).

References

Carotenoids Food colorings Tetraterpenes Diketones Cyclohexenes {{organic-compound-stub