There is no legal definition for a natural color. FDA classifies color additives as those requiring certification and those not requiring certification. The later colorants are listed in the Federal Register 21 CFR 73 and contain those colorants the food industry recognizes as "natural."  Consequently, the precise definition of natural is something which each company must work out for itself. Many have, as "natural" has strong appeal to the consumer and therefore is of economic value to the processor. At colorMaker we believe a colorant is natural if it exists in nature, be it agricultural, biological or mineral in form. It must, of course, be one of the FDA approved color additives and have a long history of safe usage.

 There is a chemically modified natural extractive from green leafy raw materials (i.e., grass) , called sodium-copper-chlorophyllin, available in Europe and provides a bright green hue.  This colorant, or other chlorophyll extractives are not approved for use in the US.  Approval has not been granted only because no one has petitioned FDA for it.  We have learned that a company based in England this year petitioned FDA and we await FDA's response.  In the interim, colorMaker has developed a green as a blend of anthocyanin blue and turmeric yellow. It is functional only in neutral pH products.

Carmine (and all other derivatives from the cochineal insect) will not be certified by Orthodox Rabbinical Organizations.  Unless the kosher laws change, carmine is not available as a kosher ingredient.

ColorMaker recommends that each company review a proposed ingredient statement with their  legal counsel. Generally, two approaches are followed with colorants exempt from certification. First, colorants are not individually listed but grouped under the phrase "colors added." This is allowed but some companies prefer to parenthetically list the colorants used. For example: color added (annatto and carmine).  The second approach is to list the individual colorants and add a explanatory parenthetical phrase.  For example: turmeric, paprika and caramel (for color). What is not allowed is to solely state, "natural color added."

ColorMaker specializes in non-certified "natural" colorants and can supply them in a variety of forms, dilutions, and blends. It can, however, supply any colorant approved for use in the US as well as those not approved here, but allowed in products manufactured for overseas consumption.

ColorMaker is certified by Louisville Vaad Hakashruth. Most of our products are made with kosher ingredients and under rabbinical supervision.

Not all "natural colors" are extracts from natural sources. A small number of FDA’s non-certified colorants are prepared synthetically. These colorants cannot be distinguished from their naturally extracted counterparts. The exactness of the chemical makeup of the synthetic colorants frustrated government regulators as they could not determine through testing, the true source of the colorant. Thus the term "nature identical" was introduced for these colorants.  Beta carotene is a typical example.

This is a technical term that applies to an insoluble form (often referred to as a pigment), of  a soluble dye. Carmine is a good example of a lake form of a natural colorant, cochineal.

ColorMaker has oil soluble and water soluble annatto in the form of bixin or nor-bixin containing liquids and powders. It can prepare various dilutions of either form to the customer’s precise specifications.

Stability of beet juice extract is a function of the food system to be colored. In frozen desserts, it has very good stability. On the other hand, beet juice will be destroyed quickly within a retorted product. With system compatibility, beet juice extract can provide long term functionality.

It is recommended that all natural colorants be stored in closed containers in a dark cool area. If possible, refrigeration is best.

The answer will depend on your definition of "natural." Some argue that if the colorant is not extracted from an agricultural or biological source, the colorant is not natural. Others argue that any material taken from natural sources that imparts color, including minerals, are natural. ColorMaker falls into the latter camp.

E-numbers are used in Europe to identify approved colorants and to assure that each meets a specific, multi-country product specification.

This term is mostly used when dealing with certified colors. At times, this term spills over into the natural color lexicon. It means a pure color with no other coloring material added, i.e., not a color blend.

This is a protective regulation enforced by USDA to discourage the use of colorants to disguise or improve the appearance of low quality or even spoiled meats.

ColorMaker, Inc. regularly updates its "Frequently Asked Questions." Please do not hesitate to ask your questions by phone, fax or e-mail at the numbers listed in this site. We do our best to answer all your questions!