Powerful reds bring seasonal celebrations to life

As the food industry evolves, regulatory changes continue to shape ingredient choices. Recently, Red 3, a commonly used synthetic food coloring, has faced scrutiny, leading to impending bans in various regions. Amidst this transition, Oterra remains committed to offering natural food coloring solutions that align with evolving regulations and consumer preferences. 

The Implications of the Red 3 Ban: The decision to phase out Red 3 underscores the industry's commitment to cleaner, ingredients. As regulatory agencies focus on enhancing food safety standards, food producers must adapt by exploring alternative solutions that meet both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations. 

Enter Natural Food Coloring Solutions: Our solutions provide a seamless transition to natural colors. Harnessing the vibrant hues of natural ingredients, such as Red Beet, Hansen Sweet Potato, Spirulina, and Jagua blue, these solutions offer a spectrum of colors without compromising on taste. Moreover, they align with consumer preferences for clean-label products.  

Benefits of Natural Food Coloring:  

• Regulatory Compliance: Our solutions meet regulatory standards, providing a straightforward path to compliance. 

• Clean Label Appeal: Natural colorings contribute to cleaner labels, reflecting transparency and quality. 

• Flavor Enhancement: Derived from natural sources, our colorings enhance the overall taste and sensory experience of food products. 

• Navigating the Transition: As food producers transition away from Red 3, our natural color solutions offer stability and reliability. While challenges such as variability in color intensity may arise, our team provides comprehensive support to ensure consistent results. 

 Embracing a Brighter Future: By embracing natural food coloring solutions, food producers demonstrate a commitment to innovation and sustainability. Together, let's adapt to regulatory changes and create products that prioritize consumer health and well-being.  At Oterra, we offer a diverse range of natural color solutions to facilitate this transition seamlessly. Our solutions not only meet regulatory standards but also deliver vibrant colors and flavors, enhancing product appeal and consumer satisfaction.  Join us in embracing this change towards a healthier, more sustainable future. Please reach out to us for further information or assistance with transitioning to our natural color solutions. 

The bill originally included both Red 3 and titanium dioxide, but titanium dioxide was subsequently removed from the bill before passing the California legislature. In an article posted in FoodNavigator-USA.com, inclusion of titanium dioxide in the bill was a political hurdle, and removal eliminated significant opposition to the bill.

When and What “Food” is Included in the Bill?

The California Food Safety Act will prohibit anyone from manufacturing, selling, delivering, distributing, holding, or offering for sale, any product for human consumption that contains Red 3 after January 1, 2027. This implementation date was chosen to allow time for the industry to use current inventories as well as find, source, and implement replacements to the affected additives.

After January 1, 2027, Red 3 will not be permitted in food for human consumption in California, including both retail and restaurant foods. Foods not for human consumption, such as those sold as pet food, are not impacted by the ban.

Considering the complexities of distribution, supply chain, and manufacturing, it is unlikely that US food manufacturers, or global companies exporting processed foods to the United States, will maintain two different versions of their product to meet the needs for one US State. Rather, it means that food processors intending to sell processed foods on the US Market, will likely replace Red 3 with another color additive permitted in the US.

Are there replacements for Red 3 in Foods?

Red 3 has a “bright pink” shade, different than other certified dyes. Although unstable in low pH and susceptible to fading in light, its unique shade has made it desirable for many companies wanting bright pinks and purples for products like marshmallows, gummies, hard candies, cake decorations and frostings, and even cakes and cookies. Although not without challenges, the answer is a resounding “yes”! Replacements do exist, and especially those from natural sources.

What are the replacements for Red 3 in Food?

Carmine is the best Red 3 replacement in food given its similarity in shade and heat stability yet will provide improved light stability compared to Red 3. It can be used in a wide range of applications, and because it maintains a red shade at neutral pH, it is ideal for baked goods.

Beet juice concentrates will provide a bluish pink color. The pigment responsible for giving red beets such a beautiful color are called betacyanins. Beet is best for powdered beverages, panned confections, ice cream and other frozen desserts. It is not recommended for heat processed foods, or those with a high-water activity.

Anthocyanins are the coloring compounds commonly found in red and purple fruit and vegetable juices and are often used for coloring. They provide vibrant red and pink shades for acidic, low pH foods like hard candies, gummies, and many other types of confections. Anthocyanins from root vegetables like red and purple sweet potatoes are bake stable bluish pink/pink shades in those with a slightly acidic pH.

Oterra has a wide portfolio with many options to choose from, in both liquid and powder forms. We will strive to meet your needs and partner with you as you navigate this change in regulation. As a global company, we understand the complexity of global regulations, and can guide you to potential color solutions permitted in the US, and also in other countries if your product is sold in multiple markets. Replacing any ingredient can sometimes be challenging, but our highly knowledgeable application scientists have the skills to answer your questions and guide you on this new journey!

Oterra, the world’s leading supplier of natural colors for food and beverage, is pleased to announce the immediate launch of its new ready-to-use Red and Pink ColorFruit® and FruitMax® blends for plant-based meat and seafood. The new blends help food manufacturers meet the growing consumer demand for clean label plant-based products that mimic the look and behavior of traditional animal-derived variants. Free from palm oil, and made from plant and vegetable based raw materials, the new blends are the natural ‘plant for plant’ coloring choice. With color influencing 50-85% of purchase decisions, Oterra’s ready-to-use blends, are not only convenient to use and ideal for reducing complexity in the manufacturer's process, they are also perfect for creating stable tailor-made shades for all types of meat and seafood substitute products, be it burgers, sausages, minced meat, meatballs, deli slices, salmon or tuna steaks. Designed by Oterra’s world-class technical team, the new Red and Pink blends expand upon traditional colors for plant-based products, by utilizing a special pigment combination that means the color not only looks great in the first instance but also mimics animal-based meat by changing color during the cooking process.