Coloring Foodstuffs (or Coloring Foods) are a range of naturally sourced products which are regarded as ingredients or foods, rather than as additives. These concentrates or juice concentrates also then impart color when used in a given food application. NATCOL (Natural Food Colors Association) positions “Coloring Foods” as food ingredients used by the food industry for the primary purpose of imparting color to food and beverage products. They are manufactured from fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, algae and/or other edible source materials. They have the following criteria:
The primary extract is added during the manufacturing of compound foods with the primary effect to deliver color to the compound food. If the primary extract is used because of its aromatic, sapid or nutritive properties together with a secondary coloring effect, the primary extract is either a food or a flavoring.
The source material must be a food or a characteristic ingredient of food which is normally consumed as such within the EU.
The pigments present in the source material must NOT undergo selective, physical and/or chemical extraction relative to the nutritive and aromatic constituents.
In the US, all colorants, whether Certified, Exempt or a Coloring Food, are additives and are regulated as such by the FDA in 21CFR Parts 73, 74 and 82. In Europe primarily, and some other parts of the world, coloring foodstuffs are used widely and are seen as ingredient options which allow for clean label alternatives.
In the EU, for example, all additives have assigned what is called an “E Number”, which would appear on product labels for consumers. For example, Red Beet is E162. The coloring foods, while in many cases are derived from the same sources as the Exempt or Natural Colors, are E Number free. The corresponding Red Beet Coloring Food would have minimal processing, and would be labeled on the finished food as “Red Beet Juice Concentrate”. This allows for “cleaner labeling options”, or potentially provides more appeal to consumers.
Applications
Bakery
Beverages
Confectionery
Dairy
Dry Mixes
Frozen Desserts
Fruit Preparations
Gelatin
Ice Cream
Prepared Foods
Water Ices
Yogurts
Meat and Meat Substitutes