Red 3, also known as Erythrosine, is a synthetic food dye used widely in the food industry for decades, particularly in items such as candies, baked goods, beverages, and oral medications.

However, recent concerns about its safety and regulatory scrutiny have prompted closer examination by agencies like the FDA.

Food manufacturers and procurement heads are now seeking alternative options to Red 3 to meet regulatory standards and address consumer preferences for natural ingredients.

Understanding the Need for Alternatives

Recently, there has been a lot of attention on synthetic food coloring, especially Red 3, with California deciding to ban it along with three other additives. This move has led to nationwide calls to also ban Red 3 due to concerns about its safety.

Although it has been banned from cosmetics and drugs applied externally since 1990 because of cancer worries, it’s still allowed in food, which has drawn criticism from consumer groups. Some studies have even suggested a link between Red 3 and behavioral issues in kids, like ADHD symptoms, making people even more concerned about its use in food.

The FDA has acknowledged the petition to ban Red 3 and said it’s looking into the matter to see if there’s enough evidence to support a ban.

With California planning to ban Red 3 by 2027, the FDA has said it’s committed to making sure food ingredients are safe. Still, people are waiting to see what the FDA will decide about Red 3 and if any changes will be made to its use in food.

Benefits of Natural Pigments

Amidst these concerns and regulatory scrutiny, there has been a notable shift towards natural alternatives to synthetic food colors. Using natural pigments offers several advantages over synthetic colors, making them increasingly popular among food manufacturers.

Consumers are becoming more conscious about what goes into their food and are often drawn to products with clean and natural ingredients. By using natural pigments, food manufacturers can cater to this demand, enhancing the perceived quality and healthiness of their products.

Natural pigments also offer benefits like cleaner labeling and regulatory compliance for food manufacturers. Derived from fruits, vegetables, and plants, they have simpler, recognizable names compared to synthetic colors, enhancing transparency on food packaging.

Moreover, natural pigments are considered safer and often exempt from stringent regulatory restrictions, aligning with evolving standards and preferences in the food industry.

ROHA's Natural Pigments for Red 3 Alternatives

ROHA offers a comprehensive range of natural pigments sourced from fruits, vegetables, and plant-based sources.

We have diverse selection of natural pigments as replacements especially for Red 3, catering to various food manufacturing needs. These alternatives include:

1. Anthocyanin: Extracted from red radish, black carrot, elderberry, hibiscus, and sweet potato, Pigment Anthocyanin presents a versatile option for food coloring. With a pH ranging from 2 to 4, its ideal application in confectionery and beverages, offering a vibrant and appealing hue to the products.

2. Red Beet: Red Beet concentrate, derived from beetroots, offers vibrant hues from intense pink to rich red. It provides excellent stability under moderate heat and light, ideal for yogurts, confectioneries, and ice creams. With a pH range of 5 to7, it guarantees consistent performance in various formulations.

3. Carmine: Carmine, derived from Carminic Acid, offers versatile shades from orange to red to magenta. With exceptional stability, it’s favored for beverages, confectioneries, baked goods, and dairy. Its pH range of 4.0 to 8.0 ensures reliable performance, enhancing the visual appeal of products.

These natural pigments are carefully selected to offer color intensity and stability comparable to synthetic colors, ensuring uniformity and reliability in product formulation.

By embracing these natural alternatives, food manufacturers can meet consumer preferences while maintaining the visual appeal of their offerings.

Summing Up

ROHA’s natural pigments provide food manufacturers with a reliable alternative to synthetic food colors such as Red 3. These pigments are safe, sustainable, and highly effective, offering vibrant colors while meeting regulatory standards. They are the perfect solution for food manufacturers aiming to fulfill consumer preferences for their products. To learn more about ROHA’s natural pigments and explore Red 3 alternatives, visit https://roha.com/ or contact at roha.usa@rohagroup.com.