Natural Colors and Flavors are referred to as the ‘Soul of the Food System’ as they add aesthetic appeal to the food. The increasing nutrition consciousness among the population across the world has led to rapid development in this field. Natural and nutritious color options are replacing chemical-based coloring options. It is equally true for the flavoring ingredients. Apart from meeting consumer nutrient and safety expectations, the natural color and flavor options have helped the food processors to obtain the ‘Clean Label’.
Natural Colors and Flavors: New Developments in the Industry
Natural flavoring and coloring agents are gaining popularity in the food and beverage processing industry. This is due to consumers’ demand for clean-label products with recognizable ingredients sourced sustainably. Vanilla, cinnamon, citrus, beet juice, and turmeric are some of the important natural flavoring and coloring agents. However, the industry has some of the new developments in the field. These new developments are:
Synthetic Biology
Synthetic biology blends the disciplines of biology, engineering, chemistry, and informatics. It utilizes a ‘design-build–test–learn’ cycle to build efficient cell factories. This branch of science has provided innovations in natural color and flavors. The science has elucidated and deployed in chassis strains, such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in many natural flavors and colors through biosynthetic pathways. This innovation has led to the formation of newer colors and flavors. This technology has deployed engineered microorganisms to synthesize sour, sweet, bitter, salty, and umami substances and changed the taste. It has also introduced colorants, such as orange, red, yellow, blue, purple, and black for the same purpose. Impossible Foods, Apeel Sciences, Memphis Meats, and Nature’s Fynd are top companies that produce natural colorants and flavoring ingredients by using synthetic biology.
Encapsulation Technologies
Flavor encapsulation is the process of coating the flavoring substance with a protective layer. This process protects the flavor from degradation over time and increases the shelf life of the product by retaining its flavor. The flavoring substances are trapped in a carrier or wall materials. This wall ensures the release of flavors at the desired time and in the desired amount. The development of this technology has led to the use of more and more natural colors and flavors in the food industry. TasteTech Ltd., Givaudan SA ADR, Balchem Corporation, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., BASF SE (ADR), and Symrise AG are the top companies involved in encapsulation.
Fermentation Based Coloring and Flavoring
The advancements in biotechnology have led to newer developments in the coloring and flavoring segment. Bacteria, such as Serratia and Streptomyces are used to produce color for food processing industries. Fermentation-based ingredients include carotene from Blakeslee transport and the Apink red color from Penicillium oxylium. Kalsec, Phytolon, Chromologics, and ADM are top companies using this technology to manufacture natural flavors and colorants.
Algae Based Coloring and Flavoring Substances
Algae contain various coloring substances such as beta-carotene, fucoxanthin, violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, antheraxanthin, etc. These are natural coloring substances and clean-label products.
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National and International Policies on Coloring and Flavoring Substances
International Standards
FDA Regulations
- Color Additive Petition: The US FDA has regulatory oversight for color additives used in foods. It requires its approval for any color additive before introduction to the market. It is referred to as a Color Additive Petition.
- List of Additives: The FDA lists new color additives or new uses for listed color additives that are safe for their intended uses. It also publishes a list of such color additives. These additives must follow the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
- Labeling Requirements: the color and flavor additives that are used in a particular product must be mentioned in the final declaration and labels.
- Other Requirements: FDA requires the food processors to comply with the following requirements. These are:
- The types of foods in which food processors use colorant and flavoring substances,
- Any maximum amounts or limit set by FDA, and
- How the color additive is to be declared on the food label.
National Standards
FSSAI Regulations
- Limit: According to FSSAI, the final concentration of synthetic food colorants should not exceed 100 ppm in foods and beverages.
- FSSAI has also published the list of natural and synthetic colorants with permitted limits in 2 regulations.
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Labeling Requirements: According to FSSAI, the food label must declare the common name of artificial flavoring substances and the class name of natural or natural-identical flavoring substances.
- Final Declaration: FSSAI clarifies that colors and flavors must be declared on the final product along with the International Numerical Identification number of colors. It should be used and indicated either under the list of ingredients or along with the declaration.Ban on certain Flavoring and Coloring Agents: FSSAI has notified the ban on the use of certain flavoring and coloring agents such as Diacetyl which is a flavoring agent oil.
Market Outlook: Trends, Projections, and Top Companies
Market Outlook: Natural Food Color and Flavor
According to the Business Research Company, in the FY 2024-2025, the natural food colors and flavors market size grew strongly in recent years. The segment grew from $6.52 billion in 2024 to $6.99 billion in 2025. It grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. Consumer health awareness, regulatory changes, food and beverage industry growth, and food allergies were the main drivers of this historic growth.
Growth Forecast
The natural food colors and flavors market size will grow to $10.13 billion in 2029. It will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. Plant-based products, clean meat and dairy alternatives, rising demand for organic foods, clean snacking, and reduced sugar products have led to its rapid growth. Technology innovation, clean-label certification, sustainability concerns, natural food color advancements, and the development of nutraceuticals are the major trends in the forecast period.
Top Five Companies In Natural Color and Flavor Domain
Givaudan
It is an MNC based in Switzerland. Givaudan produces active ingredients for cosmetics as well as flavors and fragrances. It is well-known for its spirulina-based blue and reds, derived from beetroot and pepper.
Döhler Group
It specializes in natural food colors derived from fruits and vegetables. The company commits itself to sustainability and innovation. It has created natural, plant-based color solutions such as “Citrine Yellow & Amber Orange” and “Crystal Clear Colours,”
Sensient Technologies Corporation
It is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of colors, flavors, and fragrances. the company invests heavily in research to develop innovative products that meet the evolving needs of the food industry. It has developed natural color solutions like “SupraRed™” for heat-stable red colors and advanced emulsion technologies for stable, bright natural colors.
Archer Daniels Midland Company
The Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, or ADM is a multinational American food processing and commodities trading company. It offers a diverse range of natural food colors derived from fruits, vegetables, and spices. It emphasizes sustainability and transparency in its sourcing and production processes.
Kalsec Inc.
It is a key player in the natural food color market. It provides a range of colors derived from spices, herbs, and vegetables. The company is committed to sustainability and innovation. It ensures its products meet the evolving needs of consumers.
Way Forward
The increasing use of chemical colorants and flavoring substances across the world has increased the intensity of food-borne diseases. The COVID-19 market has provided a good turf for the natural flavor and color market amid increasing nutrition consciousness across the world. The nascent technology has improved the level of nutrition of these natural colors and thus aids in improving the nutrition profile of the global community.