Miguel Bielders, APAC Marketing Manager at EXBERRY® by GNT, on the key considerations when making the move to colours made from fruit, vegetables and plants.
Plant-based colours provide the natural, vibrant shades that consumers want to see. Whether replacing synthetic dyes or seeking cleaner and clearer labels, they are ideal for the modern New Zealand market.
Here are five tips for food and beverage manufacturers to ensure a successful switch.
Select the right raw materials
Colours made from fruit, vegetables and plants rely on the natural pigments in the raw materials. There are various factors that can influence the shade and its performance, depending on the choice of colour and the application.
For example, red colours containing anthocyanin pigments will shift towards blue and become unstable at high pH levels. Blue colours made from spirulina are sensitive to heat and acid. Turmeric-based yellows are sensitive to light.
At GNT, we have vast experience devising successful solutions with plant-based colours. Our EXBERRY® portfolio contains a complete spectrum of vibrant shades made from more than 30 different raw materials.
We will work with you to test different colour sources and dosages to find the perfect solution for your product.
Test colour stability
From light exposure to heat to changing pH levels, there are many reasons a plant-based colour may shift shade during the shelf life.
We have the technology to ensure colour solutions will match up to expectations every step of the way. This includes accelerated shelf-life testing under heat and light stress, while our vast information bank helps us predict performance.
If the tests reveal a shift in the colour, we’ll provide advice on how to optimise stability throughout the shelf life.
Consider ingredient declarations
Plant-based colours can provide many advantages on product labels.
The majority of EXBERRY® colours are made using physical processing methods and water. That means they support completely clean and clear label declarations such as “blackcurrant and carrot concentrate” or “turmeric concentrate”.
Other EXBERRY® colours are made by selectively extracting the pigments from plant-based raw materials using essential oils or aqueous methods. These natural colours support label declarations such as “colour (annatto extracts)” and "colour (carotenes)".
All EXBERRY® colours are vegan-friendly and non-GMO, with a dedicated organic range available.
Find a reliable supplier
Maintaining regular supplies of plant-based colours is not always easy. This is why GNT has spent decades establishing a robust global supply chain.
We work with the majority of our farmers on long-term contracts. Our agronomists have full oversight of their fields and provide them with guidance on how to grow crops with the highest possible colour intensity year in and year out.
This resilient supply chain model helps us to maintain fast and consistent supplies for our customers all year round.
Check sustainability credentials
When using colours made from fruit, vegetables and plants, environmentally friendly and ethical sourcing is an important consideration.
EcoVadis, a leading global provider of business sustainability ratings, recently ranked GNT among the top one percent of companies in the food manufacturing industry for sustainability performance.
We have introduced many important measures in recent years, from training our farmers in sustainable agriculture to making substantial cuts to our factories’ carbon intensity.
We also offer Product Environmental Footprint information for the vast majority of EXBERRY® colours to help brands present sustainability data on their product packaging.
Discover the EXBERRY® advantage
EXBERRY® colours are valued globally for their vibrancy, versatility, stability and ease of use.
For nearly five decades, we’ve been at the forefront of plant-based colour innovation, blending deep technical expertise, responsible sourcing and a passion for creating high-quality shades from fruit, vegetables and plants.
Trusted by the world’s leading food and drink manufacturers, EXBERRY® by GNT can help you create spectacular products using sustainable colours derived from nature.
For more information, visit: www.exberry.com
