What are Natural Colors in Food Additives?
The natural colors produced by Day Natual play an important role in food additives. They add rich colors to food and make the food look more attractive. Natural colors are mainly derived from natural substances such as plants, animals or microorganisms, and are obtained through extraction, purification and other processes.
- Sources of natural colors
Plant sources: Many plants are rich in natural pigments, such as beetroot powder (beet red), red bell pepper powder, curcumin (turmeric), chlorophyll (from green plants), butterfly pea flower extract (blue), grape skin extract (purple/red), gardenia yellow (from gardenia fruit), etc.
Animal sources: Although less common, some animal-derived substances can also provide natural pigments, such as cochineal red (from cochineal), etc.
Microbial sources: Natural pigments can also be obtained through microbial fermentation, such as red yeast rice pigment (produced by Monascus fermentation). - Advantages of natural colors
High safety: Because they are derived from natural substances, natural colors usually have a higher guarantee in terms of safety, reducing the health risks that may be brought by artificial synthetic pigments.
Natural color: Natural colors can give food a more natural and vivid color, making the food look more attractive.
Diverse functions: Some natural pigments also have additional functions such as antioxidant and antiseptic, which can improve the overall quality of food. - Application of natural colors
Natural colors are widely used in various foods, including but not limited to the following categories:
Candies and desserts: such as colored candies, jellies, ice cream, etc.
Beverages: juice, carbonated drinks, sports drinks, etc.
Baked goods: cakes, bread, biscuits, etc.
Dairy products: yogurt, cheese, etc.
Meat products: ham, sausage, etc. (although less used in meat products, some specific products may use it).
Natural colors play an important role in food additives, adding rich colors and appeal to food. With consumers’ increasing attention to health and environmental protection, the application prospects of natural colors in the food industry will be broader.
