Do natural colors need to be refrigerated?

Some natural colors, like most liquids, need to be refrigerated to maintain their shelf life. Most powder natural colors can be stored at ambient temperatures.

How can I replace synthetic lakes?

Synthetic lakes are a powder format color with plating-grade capabilities. Natural colors are available in powder formats. If plating capabilities are needed or if solubility is a concern, Sensient’s Microfine™ technology can be used to replicate the performance of a synthetic lake.

How can I replace synthetic dyes?

Synthetic dyes are liquid colors certified for use in food and beverages by the FDA. Liquid natural colors can be used in the same manufacturing processes.

What are the most popular colors in the food and beverage industry?

Historically, synthetic colors have led the market, but today the tide is turning toward natural colors. Synthetic dyes are more popular than synthetic lakes, and liquid natural colors mimicking the performance of dyes are widely available.

What are the best options for oil-soluble food coloring?

Some natural colors are naturally oil-soluble depending on their botanical source. For those colors that are naturally water-soluble, a technology like Sensient’s Microfine™ or Advanced Emulsion Technology™ can be used to bridge the solubility gap.

Should I use a liquid or a powder color?

The decision between a liquid and powder format in either synthetic or natural colors comes down to several factors: manufacturing capabilities and preferences, refrigeration needs, cost, availability, and more.

R&D Dave Gebhardt

Color Formats and Why They Matter

natural food coloring versus synthetic food coloring

Liquid Colors

The liquid format of a synthetic color is called a “dye”. Natural colors do not have different names for the liquid versus powder version in the same way. Liquid colors can be used in any application segment.

The “default” form of many natural colors and all synthetic colors is a liquid. Liquids are often preferred by developers who prioritize easy handling, particularly in manufacturing scenarios where dust needs to be minimized or avoided.

For natural colors, liquids are typically more cost-effective than their powder counterparts. However, many natural liquid colors require refrigeration and may have a shorter shelf life.

Liquid Dispersions

Dispersions are commonly used in applications like compound coatings, icings, fat-based systems, extruded products, confections, and panned candies.

Sample a liquid dispersion

Granular Colors

Although powder colors have many benefits, one important drawback is the color “dust” they introduce to commercial manufacturing environments. Powder colors may also take more time than is preferred to be mixed fully into a system. Sensient’s answer to these challenges is granular colors.

Available in both synthetic (DustMaster™) and natural options, granular colors produce low dust compared to standard powders and reduce mixing times. Although this premium format adds cost to production and may not be available in every blend combination, many developers prefer it for applications like beverages and confections for its manufacturing advantages.

two people packaging boxes on an assembly line

Frequently Asked Questions

Do natural colors need to be refrigerated?: Some natural colors, like most liquids, need to be refrigerated to maintain their shelf life. Most powder natural colors can be stored at ambient temperatures.

How can I replace synthetic lakes?: Synthetic lakes are a powder format color with plating-grade capabilities. Natural colors are available in powder formats. If plating capabilities are needed or if solubility is a concern, Sensient’s Microfine™ technology can be used to replicate the performance of a synthetic lake.

How can I replace synthetic dyes?: Synthetic dyes are liquid colors certified for use in food and beverages by the FDA. Liquid natural colors can be used in the same manufacturing processes.

What are the most popular colors in the food and beverage industry?: Historically, synthetic colors have led the market, but today the tide is turning toward natural colors. Synthetic dyes are more popular than synthetic lakes, and liquid natural colors mimicking the performance of dyes are widely available.

What are the best options for oil-soluble food coloring?: Some natural colors are naturally oil-soluble depending on their botanical source. For those colors that are naturally water-soluble, a technology like Sensient’s Microfine™ or Advanced Emulsion Technology™ can be used to bridge the solubility gap.

Should I use a liquid or a powder color?: The decision between a liquid and powder format in either synthetic or natural colors comes down to several factors: manufacturing capabilities and preferences, refrigeration needs, cost, availability, and more.