USA | GRA Nutra AG has introduced AuraBC, a natural, clean-label, beta-carotene food colour derived via non-GMO fermentation technology.
AuraBC provides warm yellow-to-orange tones to a broad spectrum of food and beverage applications. The company is set to operate its vertically integrated production facility with minimal ecological footprint.
GRA Nutra’s proprietary fermentation and formulation technologies deliver natural beta-carotene-derived food colourants to food and beverage manufacturers, positioning them for broad market adoption.
Food-friendly colours
Lynda Doyle, CEO of GRA Nutra Corp, explained that the food colour market has rapidly shifted away from FD&C petroleum-based and other synthetic dyes toward natural, clean-label pigments. This is driven by consumer distrust of artificial colours, retailer and regulatory pressure, and aggressive reformulation by major brands.
“Our fermentation-based colours break through the cost barrier of delivering natural alternatives that are environmentally sound,” said Doyle.
In the U.S., the transition from synthetic dyes has been accelerated by the FDA’s revocation of Red No. 3, as well as a broader initiative to phase out petroleum-based certified colours in the coming years. This comes alongside state-level restrictions, especially as applied to school food service.
In Europe, the ban against titanium dioxide and certain FD&C dyes reinforced a global pivot toward reducing synthetic additives.
Non-GMO fermentation and formulation technology
“Our proprietary fermentation technology is the key to optimising beta-carotene yields from naturally occurring strains,” said Guido Schaer, co-founder and Chairman of GRA Nutra AG.
“The process is vertically integrated, combining ingredient production, extraction, purification, and formulation within a single facility. This integrated model reduces transport, minimises energy use, and improves overall efficiency and sustainability.”
AuraBC is available in versatile formats, including spray-dried powders, beadlets, granulations, oil suspensions, and emulsions. The beadlet formulation provides consistent performance and exceptional stability across diverse applications and conditions, while delivering excellent solubility, dispersibility, bioavailability, and organoleptic properties.
These formats help to maintain colour vibrancy and to reduce processing losses. AuraBC natural beta-carotene can be standardised to concentrations ranging from one percent to 30 percent.
Sustainability by definition
GRA Nutra’s manufacturing process relies heavily on renewable energy, either generated on-site using solar panels or through certified renewable PPAs.
“Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy use to the very materials we work with,” added Doyle.
“Unlike petrochemical-based production, our colourant sources are renewable, fermentation-based and algae-derived active ingredients. We prioritise short, efficient supply chains and partner only with suppliers who share our vision of achieving a zero-carbon footprint.”
Clear beverage colours
AuraBC natural beta-carotene delivers a range of attractive yellow-orange shades to beverages, including flavoured waters, sparkling refreshers, energy drinks, juices, or dairy-based beverages.
Natural colours are now both a regulatory necessity and a branding asset for manufacturers, but limitations in shade range, stability, processing performance, and capacity make scaling to meet growing demand increasingly challenging. This is prompting intensive R&D into fermentation-based and algae-derived pigments, as well as bolstering supply chain resilience, reducing costs, and addressing variability.
Schaer added that GRA Nutra provides food manufacturers with a viable means to reformulate products that align with clean-label, wellness, and environmental ideals, while giving brand owners a practical, sustainable alternative to synthetic colourants in flexible formats, with robust supplies and competitive prices.
GRA Nutra’s first commercial production plant will go online in early 2027. It will showcase its natural beta-carotene shades in a selection of beverages and gummies at IFT FIRST, Chicago, from the 13th to the 15th of July.
