Sensient Colors Offers Recommendations to Manufacturers Facing Switch from Red 3

Sensient Colors Group, the leading global manufacturer and supplier of natural and synthetic color solutions, explains why enlisting a trusted color partner is critical.

ST. LOUIS, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 15, 2025, the FDA announced their decision to revoke the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs. This will be effective January 15, 2027, for food products and January 18, 2028, for ingested drugs. Manufacturers will need to reformulate and remove Red 3 to meet these dates but should start sooner to get ahead to avoid the consequences of being left behind.

The conversion to natural color is only accelerating in food and beverage. See how to make the change here.

A Limited Supply of Natural Color

It only takes one large company to take all the current supply of a natural product. If companies wait, they may have to reformulate with another available product that does not provide the desired color, cost, or performance. Natural resources are finite, and a total conversion cannot be made overnight.

Food Color & Consumer Preference

It is not just legislation that food and beverage companies should worry about. Increasingly, consumers are concerned about the specific ingredients found in their food.

According to Mintel:

• 34% of US consumers believe that "free from artificial coloring" claims influence their food and drink purchase decisions.
• A sizable portion of US adults (76%) believe that natural ingredients- such as natural food colors -offer more functional benefits than artificial ones and are perceived as healthier
• In the past five years, natural color has outpaced artificial color in new product development

Replacing Red 3

Within the food industry, Red 3 is typically found in products like strawberry milk, bakery items, and confectionery. In each of these applications, natural color will work differently and will require careful consideration and planning to match the unique, bright pink-red shade of Red 3.

If brands are preparing to address these changes by removing Red 3 but are not prepared to make a full conversion to natural colors, developers should talk to the right experts and get started today. Using natural color is complex and requires not only planning, but also the right expertise.

To find the best Red 3 substitute or fully convert products to natural colors, several technical considerations will come into play to ensure successful color performance. Heat, acidity, processing, ingredient interaction, and light exposure can all impact natural color stability depending on the color source.

Some of the most common natural Red 3 alternatives include: beet, anthocyanins, carmine, lycopene, red iron oxide. Yet many of the technical considerations can make an impact on how each of these works, and not all natural colors are created equally. As one of the top color manufacturers in the world, Sensient has developed technology like its Uberbeet™ portfolio to help create stable and powerful natural colors.

Work with a Color Partner

As natural resources are finite, food and beverage companies should start working with a trusted color partner now to get ahead of changes and find the right solution. Do not get left behind without color because you waited too long. In a world where color plays a vital role in consumer enjoyment of food and beverage, it is more important than ever to better understand how it works and partner with a trusted expert like Sensient.

Media Contact Information:

Connor Phillips

[email protected]

314-763-7923

SOURCE Sensient Food Colors