Enhance Your Creations with Safe & Vibrant Synthetic Food Pigments
Synthetic food pigments are chemical compounds, also known as dyestuffs produced in labs to impart a stronger, brighter, longer-lasting color than natural pigments. These pigments are most widely used as food color additives to color various products, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and foods. Well! In this blog post, you will learn what are synthetic food pigments and the uses of various types of synthetic food pigments in the industry.
Food pigments provide more vibrant, brighter colors, stable performance, tones, strong fastness, and easy color adjustment. While pigments used for cosmetics are slightly different from pigments used in food and beverage items. These food pigments are cost-effective and are widely used for large production.
As opposed to natural food pigments, synthetic food pigments are more stable and consistent and provide more vibrant color than natural food colors. The U.S. FDA regulates the use of these food pigments to ensure safety and precautions. These pigments are generally safe when used properly.
What Are Synthetic Food Pigments?
Synthetic food pigments are color pigments derived synthetically in a state-of-the-art laboratory through a well-defined process. These color pigments have greater stability and consistency than their natural counterparts. There is a great difference between organic pigments and inorganic pigments based on their chemical composition.
These colors are often more vibrant and stable than their natural counterparts, making them a popular choice for the food industry. These food color pigments are typically found in powder, gel, or liquid, helping businesses achieve the desired shade more efficiently.
Importance of Synthetic Food Pigments
There are various reasons why synthetic food pigments are important in the food industry, including but not limited to cost-effectiveness, versatility, consistency, and the ability to produce brighter, more vibrant colors to obtain the desired products.
These food pigments are best known for their greater shelflife and strong color fastness with various other properties and key characteristics, including:
- Versatility
Synthetic food pigments are most commonly used in various foods & beverages, including but not limited to soft drinks, candies, baked goods, etc.
- Stability
Synthetic food pigments are highly durable and stable during food processing, exposure to light, or storage.
- Consistent Colors
Synthetic food pigments produce more vibrant, brighter, uniform colors that don’t fade after exposure to light and heat.
- Cost-Effective
Synthetic food pigments are more cost-effective than natural pigments, making them best suitable for large production in the industry.
Types of Synthetic Food Pigments
Here are various types of synthetic food pigments widely used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
- Tartrazine (Yellow No. 5)
Tartrazine is a synthetic lemon-yellow dye, also known as FD&C Yellow No. 5, is a synthetic, lemon-yellow dye widely used in various foods, drugs, and cosmetics. The main use of tartrazine is to color soft drinks, sweets, hand lotions, and other foods and drinks.
Additionally, it is used as an adsorption-elution indicator in biochemistry and dyeing wool and silks.
- Sunset Yellow FCF
Sunset Yellow FCF is a synthetic orange azo dye widely used in foods and beverages to enhance the visual appearance of products, making them more attractive and appealing to consumers’ eyes. It is generally considered safe without any toxicity, genotoxicity, or carcinogenicity.
In addition, the EFSA and JECFA have approved and permitted their daily intakes (ADIs) of 0–1 and 0–4 mg kg−1 bodyweight, respectively.
- Brilliant Blue FCF (Blue 1)
Brilliant Blue FCF (Blue 1), also known as FD&C Blue No. 1 and acid blue 9 refers to a synthetic organic compound commonly used as a blue dye for coloring food, medicine, cosmetics, and dietary supplements.
It is widely used as a synthetic dye for coloring pharmaceuticals, foods, supplements, and cosmetics
- Allura Red
Allura Red AC, also known as FD&C Red No. 40 or E129 is a red dye widely used as a color additive in pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics. It is used as a primary food color in a variety of products, including but not limited to: candy, sugar, frostings, puddings, custards, alcoholic,
Gelatins, sauces, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, fruits, toppings, etc.
- Carmoisine (Red 10)
Carmoisine, also known as Red No. 10, is a synthetic red food dye widely used to color foods and beverage products with different hues and shades. This type of dye is widespread in various applications, such as cheeses, dried fruits, fermented foods, and other alcoholic beverages.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that synthetic food pigments are color additives used to color a variety of industries, including food, drugs, and cosmetics. These food pigments provide a more vibrant, brighter color that adds significant value to the food industry. Lots of food manufacturers use high-quality synthetic dyes or pigments to improve the visual appearance of food and beverages.
If you are in the food, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic industry looking for premium quality, FDA-certified synthetic dyes & pigments, Hridhan Chem is a go-to choice for your business. For more information on a wide range of dyes or pigments, that we produce at our manufacturing facility, get in touch with us today.
