Taking the Artificial Out of Food Colors

Color additives are nothing new. The FDA classifies color additives as any substance that gives color to a food, drug, cosmetic, or human body and can include synthetic materials and elements derived from natural sources.

All animals respond to color, and humans are no exception. We expect certain foods and flavors to match specific colors. Consumers expect to know more about where those colors come from - either naturally occurring or synthetic. 

It’s no surprise that as consumers clamor for more information about the origins of their food, they’re hoping to find that it’s more natural and organic than artificial. 

The 2020 Food and Health Survey performed by the International Food Information Council Foundation found customers do not want artificial ingredients. According to the survey, "natural" is the top label claim to influence purchasing decisions. The natural label claim influences over 40% of grocery purchases, and roughly 25% of restaurant meal decisions. 

Rising health consciousness and the inclination toward environment-friendly products drive the demand for naturally grown food products and ingredients worldwide. Customer pressure means big business for the natural food colors market. Experts predict the natural food colors market will grow to $3.2 billion by 2027, at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4% from 2019 to 2027.

It seems choosing natural food colors is the way of the future. While an important factor, bringing products to market involves much more than choosing the right natural colors. Innovation demands more efficiency and speed at every stage of new product development. TraceGains can help by providing a single location for all supply chain information and documentation so teams can work smarter. Learn more about our new product development solutions here.