The annatto pigments belong to the group of compositions called chemical carotenoids, which are also found in wide variety of vegetables and animals. Its importance in food resides in the fact that some carotenoids have nutritional function pro-vitamin A.
However, most pro been recognizing its importance in the point of view of animals for its property have color and turning the food more acceptable organolepticly. The principal carotenoid of the urucum is the bixin, that which doesn't have any activity pro-vitamin A, therefore, its presence in food is just to check them color.
Among the natural coloring, the urucum stands out for its good stability, easy application and for not being toxicant.
In Brazil the urucum colors are used in soups, meats, sauces, sweet, products of dairy products, masses, beverages, snack's, seasonings and other.
The provision industries of countries as, England, United States, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand and others, with advanced technology, they use the urucum coloring in great scale and they are in constant developments for new applications in varied followings.
Besides its use in food, they have also been used to color textile products, of leather, in waxes for floor, in greases for footwear, cellulose and in some cosmetics.
It doesn't suffer restrictions with relationship to the presence in food, for most of the regulations of world public health, due to the characteristics of natural product, corresponding to the positions of the color index CI (1975) 75 120, EEC nº 160 b, NATURAL ORANGE 4, L ORANGE nº 3 e SCHULTZ (1931) nº 1387.