Carotenoids are a class of natural, fat-soluble pigments, usually red, orange or yellow in color, found principally in plants. Of the various pigments, carotenoids are among the most widespread and important. There are approximately 700 known, naturally-occurring carotenoids, and some 50 of these pigments possess vitamin A activity of varying degrees.

Red palm oil contains a natural mixture of carotenoids, and is one of the richest natural plant sources with a concentration of 500-700ppm. It has 15 times more retinol equivalent than carrots and 300 times more than tomatoes. Carotenoids derived palm oil consist of 30% a-carotene, 60% b-carotene and 10% other (g-carotene, lycopene, phytoene and zeacarotene).