Chr. Hansen has launched a range of natural oil-soluble colourings for the North American market.
The colours will allow manufacturers to meet consumer demand for natural colourings in snack foods, including cookies, ice cream and confectionery. The Danish company said that 45% of consumers are now looking for natural ingredients when choosing which snack products to buy.
The oil soluble range is made from natural sources such as fruit, vegetables and other edible plants – including the likes of turmeric, paprika and spirulina. Many are water-soluble by nature and would normally not disperse well in oil-based food, but Chr. Hansen’s new formulation technique has made them easily dispersible in oil and easier to make stable blends with other oil soluble colours.
The variety of colours also highlights the varied demands of manufacturers. The range includes a new bright blue and green colour for cream fillings and compound coatings, as well as a new high-strength pink and ready-to-use non-caramel brown.
Mary Bentley, Chr. Hansen senior vice-president of sales and marketing for North America, said: “We are really excited to launch this range on the North American market at a time when natural ingredients are more important to the consumer than ever before. The range has been specifically developed to meet some of the challenges our customers face so it is easier for them to implement natural colours and meet consumer demands.
“Great care has been taken to create colours that are stable and can be blended to create nearly any colour desired. The colours are bright and in liquid form, ready for use and easily dispersible, developed for stable blending and ambient storage.”
Oil-soluble colours are typically required for fat compounds used in chocolate decorations and coatings; the yogurt coating on nuts, cookies and muesli bars; as well as the filling inside sandwich cookies such as Oreos. It can also be used in the seasoning mixes used for savoury snacks.
Chr. Hansen senior director of global marketing Jakob Rasmussen added: “Combining our long track record of conversion with our technical application expertise, as well as an in-depth understanding of local trends and consumer demands, enables us to support our customers in their conversion to natural, and their ongoing optimisation of consistency and application.”
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