Like other carotenoids, apocarotenal plays a role as a precursor of vitamin A, even though it has 50% less pro-vitamin A activity than β-carotene.

Apocarotenal has an orange to orange-red colour and is used in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products.

Its E number is E160e and it is approved for usage as a food additive in the US,[1] EU[2] and Australia and New Zealand.

[3] Epidemiological studies have shown that people with high β-carotene intake and high plasma levels of β-carotene have a significantly reduced risk of lung cancer[citation needed].

However, studies of supplementation with large doses of β-carotene in smokers have shown an increase in cancer risk, possibly because excessive β-carotene results in breakdown products that reduce plasma vitamin A and worsen the lung cell proliferation induced by smoke [citation needed].