Miguel Bielders, GNT’s Marketing Manager – APAC, explains how EXBERRY® colours made from fruit, vegetables and plants can provide manufacturers with a future-proof solution.
Naturalness is important to New Zealanders. A 2024 survey of Australasian consumers found that, excluding taste and price, it ranked second only to nutrition when choosing which food items to buy.
The survey also showed that seven in ten said they consider ingredient lists to be important, with additives (36 percent), chemical-sounding ingredients (26 percent) and genetically modified ingredients (20 percent) among the information many are looking out for.
This growing scrutiny makes natural food colours essential for gaining consumer trust and driving product acceptance. Many brands are already responding. Over the last five years, fewer than 15 percent of product launches in New Zealand have featured artificial colours, with their growth rate (CAGR) standing at -7 percent.
As consumer expectations continue to evolve, manufacturers need futureproof solutions that can still deliver on performance. Our plant-based EXBERRY® colours are ideal. They not only allow for a complete spectrum of vibrant, stable shades in food and drink but support the natural label declarations that shoppers want to see.
Consumer-friendly colours
EXBERRY® colours are made from fruit, vegetables and plants and are processed without the use of chemical solvents. They are non-GMO, vegan, halal and kosher, and allow for simple ingredient listings such as “concentrates (carrot and blackcurrant)” or “turmeric concentrate”.
Importantly, they are also sustainable. GNT has been awarded an EcoVadis gold medal for our environmental and ethical activities, and we provide Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data for the vast majority of EXBERRY® colours.
Our approach ensures that your products can satisfy diverse consumer preferences as well as regulatory requirements in New Zealand and beyond.
Making the switch simple
EXBERRY® is available in a wide range of formats to suit almost any food and drink application, but plant-based colours require careful formulation to ensure optimal results.
We’re passionate about working side-by-side with our customers to deliver the best possible outcome. We offer full support throughout the product development cycle, including colour selection and matching, stability testing, concept innovation and regulatory support.
Ideally, we’ll mimic your process as closely as possible, focusing on key parameters that impact colour performance, such as pH, heating conditions and base colour. By testing different dosages and blends, we fine-tune the colour to ensure it’s just right for your product.
With our global reach and tailored, local technical support, we can ensure cost- and time-efficiency by streamlining the product development process and increasing your speed to market.
For example, our Binder Accelerated Stability Chamber speeds up colour testing for food and drink by up to 20 times, offering rapid insights into dosage levels and raw material performance. This innovative tool helps us to efficiently identify the perfect solution for your products.
Colour solutions you can trust
EXBERRY® is the leading global brand of plant-based, sustainable colours for food and drink. Whether developing a new product or reformulating a recipe, we’re here to help.
Trusted by everyone from start-ups to the world’s leading manufacturers, we know how to deliver colour solutions that will tick every box for the modern New Zealand market.
