Food & beverage manufacturers are resorting to natural and synthetic food colors to enhance the organoleptic appeal of the finished product. The rising preference for ‘clean label’ foods has enhanced the growth of the market. Food colorings are tested for safety by various regulatory bodies and institutions, globally. There are different regulations established by the government on the use of any particular set of synthetic food colors in their respective countries.
In the U.S., FD&C numbers (which generally indicate that the FDA has approved the colorant for use in foods, drugs, and cosmetics) are allotted to approve synthetic food dyes that are not found in nature; while in the European Union, E numbers are used for both synthetic and natural colorants. Food color manufacturers are investing in new products and innovation technologies that impart a wide range of colors to the food and beverages.
The food colors market is growing with the increase in demand for food. The growth of the natural colors market segment depends on the consumers’ preference for natural and healthy food colors. This growth will be maintained in the future with finding new sources of raw materials, the launch of new products, and using advanced technologies for color production. Globalization and the changing lifestyles have resulted in an increase in the usage of food colors in the developing markets, especially the Asian markets. There has been an increase in key market players establishing their business in these markets.
The demand for food colors is high in the developed markets of the U.S. and U.K. And the developing countries such as China, Australia, New Zealand, India, and the Latin American countries are projected to experience a strong increase in demand for food colors. Countries such as China and India that have abundant resources for raw materials and widely available cheap labor force provide great opportunity for the growth of the food colors market. Key players in this market are setting up their production units in these countries. Thus, it is projected that the market in this region will grow tremendously.
The market is characterized by the existence of a number of companies and diversified product portfolios. The key market players compete with their diversified products that can be used in a variety of applications by their buyers. The key players in the food colors market are Chr. Hansen (Denmark), D.D. Williamson & Co Inc. (U.S.), Wild Flavors Inc. (U.S.), and Sensient Technologies Corporation (U.S.).
