Chr. Hansen announces new oil-soluble colouring solutions

13 Nov 2017

Five new oil-soluble colouring solutions that it says can be blended into almost any shade have been announced by Chr. Hansen. They are classified as an ingredient with colouring properties instead of an additive.

Five new oil-soluble colouring solutions that it says can be blended into almost any shade have been announced by Chr. Hansen.

Consumer awareness of clean label is growing, the company notes, and the snacking industry is reinvigorating itself both in terms of new product development and consumer expectations - and this momentum will continue to grow. As eating and drinking habits among adults change, manufacturers place more focus on the ingredients used in formulation and the production process, Chr. Hansen adds.

Perhaps it is no surprise then, the company goes on, that ‘colouring foodstuffs’ – or ‘fruit, plant and vegetable concentrates’ as they are also known – are used in nearly 30% of European confectionery and ice cream product launches, noting that colouring foodstuffs are sourced from nature and are minimally processed with no chemical alteration. They are classified as an ingredient with colouring properties instead of an additive, so the ingredient list remains clean, transparent and easily understandable.

That, says the company, is why Chr. Hansen is now launching a new oil soluble colouring foodstuffs range. It says it wants to help manufacturers reach the next level of naturality for their brands and meet these consumer trends for clean label solutions – whilst at the same time creating innovative and vibrant colours that consumers have also come to expect.

“We are really excited to bring this wide range of colour solutions to the market – globally. It is our goal to help manufacturers meet the increased demand from consumers for colour ingredients sourced from nature,” said Jakob Dalmose Rasmussen, Global Marketing Director for Chr. Hansen Natural Colors. “The five new oil soluble colours can also be blended to create new and unique colours that best match the manufacturers’ brand, and consumers’ expectations for what that food should look like.”

“New and unusual flavours are increasingly popular in Europe. With this comes the need for vibrant colours that match the consumer expectation of that flavour. Our new oil soluble products are also easy to blend, providing an even wider palette of colour solutions and the opportunity to develop your own unique colour blend.”

The new oil-soluble range can be used in confectionery, ice cream coating, savoury snacks and fat filling for biscuits. The range now includes five new colouring foodstuffs – blue, pink, red, yellow and brown – as well as two new natural colours – a non-Cu chlorophyl green and a non-caramel brown. Chr. Hansen claims the full portfolio provides the widest range of oil soluble colours sourced from nature in the industry today.

“The oil soluble colours are in liquid form and are easy for manufacturers to use,” said Lotte Jeppesen, Technical Industry Manager at Chr. Hansen Natural Colors. “We have taken great care to create colours that are stable and blend well to create a myriad of shades. As a cost efficient solution too, we hope to be the partner of choice for manufacturers looking to strengthen their use of colouring foodstuffs.”