Bilirubin is a reddish-yellow pigment found in bile that is produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin, a pigment in red blood cells. The liver removes bilirubin from the bloodstream and secretes it in the bile. Bile helps the body digest and absorb fatty foods. It also rids the body of certain waste products. Bilirubin gives bile its color, which ranges from brown to greenish-yellow. Bilirubin joins with fat-soluble chemicals in the liver to form a product that is secreted in the bile.