Page 56 - FoodFocusThailand No.226 January 2025

STRATEGIC R & D

Putting Color Intensity

in the Spotlight in Powder Food

Applications and Fat-Compounds

Artificial food dyes have long been thought superior to natural colors or coloring foodstuffs to create vivid
shades that attract the attention of hungry and thirsty consumers. However, finely milled natural powders
can achieve deep, rich shades while retaining the benefits of natural ingredients.

Bright colors in sweet biscuits, cakes, and soft drinks, sauces Reduced particle size can be obtained with different types of
and seasonings and confectionery in Thailand are often achieved milling processes using natural raw materials such as sweet potato,
with commonly used artificial colors such as allura red, tartrazine, turmeric, red beet, black carrot and spirulina. The milling process
sunset yellow and brilliant blue. These synthetic ingredients have creates particles 5 to 10 times smaller than standard non-milled
the advantages of being bright and cheap. powders, resulting in a larger surface area that reflects light more
However, the growing trend towards health and wellness has effectively, providing more intense and uniform color. This reduced
increased demand in many parts of the world for ‘clean label’ – particle size also provides more uniform colorization (plating) and
products made with recognizable, natural ingredients. Food and higher visual appeal, with no spots, in applications such as
beverage manufacturers in Thailand wanting to export to regions seasoning mixes.
like Europe, North America and increasingly the Middle East, will
have to look at alternatives to artificial colors to meet consumer Spotless appeal
preferences. Milled powders are especially advantageous in powder-based
foods and beverages such as instant powder beverages, sports
Globally, “no artificial flavors or colors” is the third most powders, flavored milk powder, seasoning powder for snacks and
significant factor influencing the purchasing decisions for sugar sauces, and compressed confectionery tablets.
confectionery. Additionally, products labeled as “made with real For example, the reduced particle size ensures efficient,
ingredients” or “natural” top the list for chocolate purchases, while uniform plating of a seasoning powder mix with no irregular spots
snack consumers often assess product healthiness by scrutinizing and with a strong color impact. There is also no dephasing as
the ingredient list. This trend is reflected across multiple product particles firmly plate the powder mix and do not separate during
categories (Source: Innova Market Insights, 2024). production, transport or storage ensuring consistent product
quality. Finely milled powders are also a good alternative for oil-
Natural versus Artificial soluble colorings as attempts to achieve an intense shade with
Food and beverage manufacturers looking to meet this demand oil soluble colors may lead to a dosage so high that the seasoning
need to find an alternative to the bright colors, but with label- mix becomes too wet for proper application.
friendly ingredients. With the introduction of natural color powders The benefits of finely milled powders over oil-soluble colors
with finely milled particles, natural colors can now rival artificial also extend to fat-based products like fillings and compound
ones, and sometimes even outperform them, offering brighter coatings. In fat-based fillings, using oil-soluble colors in high
hues in powdered food bases. dosages can negatively affect the texture and quality of the
Finely milled powders can achieve deeper, richer shades for compound coating. On the other hand, finely milled powders
powder-based beverages, snack seasoning, compound coating, provide intense, vibrant colors with a spotless visual appeal.
bakery toppings and fillings or compressed candy. Unlike some
natural products, these fine powders have a longer shelf life at
ambient temperatures, providing greater flexibility in production More Information Service Info C011
without compromising color quality.

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