To obtain tablets having good color dispersion and development without causing them to be broken by tabletting pressure by dispersing carotenoid pigment crystals in a state not dissolved in fat and oil in a water-soluble material comprising an emulsifier, an excipient and an antioxidant, pulverizing the crystals with a grinder to form a dry powder and using this powder.

Although not particularly limited, the carotenoid pigment is selected among β-carotene, canthaxanthin, β-apo-8'-carotenal, leupin, lutein, etc. The emulsifier is exemplified by a food material having emulsion stabilizing effect such as a sucrose fatty acid ester, lecitin, a glycerol fatty acid ester, soybean saponin, arabic gum, pectin, dextrin or casein. The excipient used is a food processing material such as dextrin or starch. The antioxidant used is ascorbic acid or cetechin having antioxidant effect on fat and oil. The comminuted carotenoid pigment crystals have a particle diameter of 2μm or below, desirably 0.5μm or below.