Natural Colors have been used for centuries, providing a wide range of bright and unique shades for many different applications.
Exempt from Certification Colors (or Natural Colors as they are more commonly known) are those colorants which are derived from sources in nature (or are Nature Identical), are approved by the FDA and are used for various food, drug and cosmetic uses. Many of the Natural Colors have been used for centuries, not only for coloring foods but also for coloring textiles, pottery and even skin. In addition, their inherent health benefits, as is true for colorants like Turmeric and many Fruit and Vegetable Juices, have also been known for many years. Their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties support cardiovascular, mental and digestive health.
Natural Colors are used to color just about every food and beverage application. They are also used for pharmaceutical applications, such as syrups and tablets, and are widely used for cosmetic and personal care applications, such as makeup, mascara and lotions.
Natural Colors are used based upon the shade they provide, whether a bright yellow or deep red is required, for example. In addition, and most importantly, they are used where they can also provide the optimal color stability, functionality and performance required for the processing and shelf life of a given application. When Natural Colors are used in application, they must withstand standard manufacturing and processing conditions for that product. This includes processes such as baking, pasteurization and extrusion. They must also be able to provide optimal stability for the required shelf life of a product.
For these reasons and to further address some of the challenges, we are able to also formulate and customize with Natural Colors to develop color systems that provide the ideal shade, which function suitably for any given application, and which also provide the color stability required for the shelf life of the product. This can be accomplished by blending and using formulation techniques such as emulsification, encapsulation or spray-drying.
(Click on Each Color or Source to Scroll to that Section)
Annatto Extract — Yellow to Yellowish Orange — Norbixin Bixin (Pigment Type)
Grown and harvested in South America, Africa and the Caribbean. The pigment naturally occurs as the oil soluble form, as Bixin, and is extracted from the exterior of the seeds. The water-soluble form is generated using a simple processing step to create Norbixin, which is used widely in cheese and other dairy applications.