Savory Snack Seasonings Add Value to Snacks
Natural snacking is expected, not a bonus.
As headlines around synthetic colors swirl and snacking is on the rise, naturally colored snack products can satisfy both consumer demands and regulatory guidelines.
+42%
increase in snacks
launched with an all-natural claim in the past three years
Mintel 2025
48%
of consumers
are snacking more often because they enjoy trying new flavors
Mintel 2024
62%
of consumers
feel that chips made from all-natural ingredients are healthier than other chips
Mintel 2023
Color adds value and flavor to snacks.
Mintel research shows that half of consumers enjoy trying “new-to-me” snack flavors (Mintel 2024), and color can be a great first step to introducing a new flavor to an existing consumer base.
Flavor perception increases 15% when an optimized color is used.
Sensient Consumer Research 2019
Exotic flavors that may be unfamiliar to a regional consumer base can be introduced with color so that shoppers can start to guess what a product might taste like before they open the package. For example, a bright fire engine red seasoning might indicate to a consumer that something is going to be really spicy, while a darker brown-red could indicate a barbeque-type flavor.
Game-Changing Color Solution: Microfine™
While historically synthetic lakes have been the go-to colorant for powdered snack seasonings, the demand for natural colors to replace synthetics creates a need for a natural alternative with the same high-quality color performance. Enter: Microfine™.
Sensient’s Microfine™ technology replaces synthetic lakes with plating-grade natural colors using proprietary particle control processing.
This technology gives natural colors the unique ability to fully coat each particle of seasoning with color for a bright, uniform appearance unmatched by standard powder colors.
Whether you are converting existing snack products from synthetic colors or creating new launches, Microfine™ is the color technology you need to achieve deliciously bold seasonings with natural colors.
Bold Trending Flavors Boosted by Bright Color
Mintel-identified launch trends as well as new products highlighted at this year’s Expo West event show that brands are trying to capture consumer interest and increase their cart share with novel concepts.
Let’s take a look at how a Microfine™ color solution could amplify the impact of these trending flavors:
Chili Lime
Gochujang
Jalapeno
Guacamole
Korean BBQ
