INDUSTRY TALK
Discover the benefits of
plant-based colours
In the age of social media, it is more important than ever to ensure food and drink products provide striking visual appeal. In fact, 56% of consumers now say they like the food they eat to have bright and intense colours.1 However, the rising importance of clean and clear labels can leave manufacturers with a challenge. GNT Group communications manager Lorraine Jansen discusses how to overcome this challenge.
T
oday’s shoppers expect their products to be made with ingredients they know and trust – and artificial
and even ‘natural’ additive colours are among the ingredients that can provide real cause for concern. Across Africa and the
"56% of consumers say they like the food they eat to have bright and intense colours."
plant-based product from meat and dairy alternatives to vegan-friendly confectionery. While Coloring Foods can deliver bright shades comparable to synthetics, they are not a plug-and-play solution and achieving optimal results requires knowledge and experience.
Middle East, for example, 58% of consumers
GNT has been working with Coloring Foods
say they look for ingredients that they do
since the company was founded in 1978. This
not recognise when checking labelling,
experience has enabled them to develop
while 71% say they are concerned about
exceptional process-engineering expertise
ingredients that sound chemical.2
and means that they can help their customers
Exberry Coloring Foods can provide the
find solutions to almost any formulation
solution. Based on the principle of colouring
challenge they might face. GNT’s experts are
food with food, they are made from edible,
available to help customers through every step
non-GMO fruit, vegetables and plants
of the commercialisation process, from colour
using physical processing methods such as
matching and stability testing all the way
chopping and boiling. As a result, they can be
through to regulatory support and upscaling.
described on the ingredient list in a way that
They can even offer inspiration for products,
is easy for shoppers to understand, such as
providing insights on market trends and
Coloring Foods.
concept innovation based on decades
Exberry colours can be used in almost any
of experience.
food and beverage application and, with the
Using Exberry Coloring Foods makes it
right approach, they can provide vivid shades
possible for manufacturers to develop the
from across the whole rainbow. This year,
colourful, clean-label food and drink that
for example, vibrant red Coloring Foods are
vegetables or other plants appealing.3 A study
modern shoppers demand. With hundreds
leading the way, fueling innovation across
of consumers in the UK, US and Australia,
of shades and a wide range of products
a vast array of food and drink products.
meanwhile, shows that fruit and vegetables
available, the possibilities with Exberry are
From hot-chili confectionery and brimstone
are considered by far the most natural source
almost endless. •
bread to juice shots and hibiscus cocktails,
of colour for food and drink.4
manufacturers are utilising eye-catching red
As a plant-based colouring solution,
hues that demand attention and can make a
they can also help manufacturers tap into
real impact on social media.
one of the industry’s biggest trends. Plant-
Crucially, Coloring Foods ensure
based claims are on the rise globally with a
widespread consumer acceptance as well as
37% CAGR for food and beverage launches
visual appeal. Research shows that more than
between 2016 and 2020.5 As Exberry Coloring
six in ten shoppers globally find colouring in
Foods are made from fruit, vegetables and
the form of concentrated juice from fruits,
plants, they are a perfect fit for almost any
REFERENCES 1 FMCG Gurus 'Flavor, Color, & Texture Trends in 2021' (2021) 2 FMCG Gurus 'Clean Label and Naturalness: Determining what consumers want and how to provide this' (2020) 3 FMCG Gurus 'Clean Label and Naturalness: Determining what consumers want and how to provide this' (2020) 4 Murley, T. & Chambers, E. 4th. ‘The Influence of Colorants, Flavorants and Product Identity on Perceptions of Naturalness’ Foods (2019) 5 Innova Market Insights 'Powering Up on Plant Protein' (2021)
FOOD RE VIEW | October 2021
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