| Natural Occurrence | Color | Pigment |
| Black GrapesBlackcurrantsCherriesElderberries
Red Cabbage Strawberries |
Red/Blue | Anthocyanins: water soluble pigments responsible for the attractive red, purple and blue colours of many flowers, fruits and vegetables. They are sensitive to pH change, being reddest in strongly acidic conditions and become more blue as the pH rises. Used in drinks, jams and sugar confectionery |
| Beetroot | Pink | Betanin: The colour of beetroot is water soluble and has limited stability when exposed to light, heat and oxygen. It is particularly suited to frozen, dried and short shelf-life products, such as ice creams and yoghurt. |
| Cochineal | Red | Carminic Acid: The water soluble pigment carminic acid (carmine) is derived from the female cochineal insect. Introduced into Europe via the Aztecs it has the advantage of being stable when exposed to heat, light and oxygen. Uses include alcoholic beverages and processed meat products. |
| Alfalfa GrassNettlesParsleySpinach | Green | Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins: Chlorophyll is the most widely distributed natural plant pigment, present in all green leafy vegetables. It is a green, oil soluble colour. Chlorophyllins are water soluble and relatively stable when exposed to heat and light. Uses include sugar confectionery and dairy products. |
| AnnattoCarrotsOrangesPrawns
Red Peppers Saffron Tomatoes Palm Fruit |
Yellow, Orange and Red | Carotenoids: Over 400 different carotenoids have been identified in red/orange/yellow fruits, vegetables and plants. Nature produces carotenoids at the rate of 1000 million tons per year. Most are oil soluble, heat stable and are not affected by pH change. The uses of carotenoids include margarine, dairy products and soft drinks. |
| Turmeric | Yellow | Curcumin: Turmeric is a well known spice, used widely in cookery. Its pigment, curcumin, is oil soluble and tends to fade in light, but has good heat stability. It gives a lemon yellow shade in food systems. Its applications include pickles, soups and confectionery. |
| EggsMilkYeast | Yellow | Riboflavin: Riboflavin, Vitamin B2, is used for fortification and colouring. It is water soluble, heat stable and is used in dairy products, cereals and dessert mixes |
| Carbonised Vegetable Material | Black | Carbon Black: Vegetable carbon black is a heat and light insoluble pigment, used primarily in sugar confectionery. |
| Malanoidins(Caramel) | Brown | Malanoidins: Caramel is water soluble and is associated with the colour and flavour of baked foods. It is heat and light stable, but stability in different food systems depends on the type of caramel used. It is used in baked goods and soft drinks. |
What are the dangers of synthetic food coloring?
