Natural Food Colours are Becoming Popular as a Safer Alternative to Synthetic Food Colours with Numerous Health Benefits

Even though natural food colours are more expensive than synthetic food colours, their demand is on the rise as synthetic food colours are controlled by a number of regulations when used in the food and beverage industries and synthetic food colours are made from chemicals that are harmful for human consumption. Additionally, the market is likely to be driven by the increasing demand for natural and organic additives. Natural food colours are expected to have a positive impact on the market growth owing to its health benefits. Carotenoids are antioxidants that help the body build immunity and curcumin provides many health benefits as well as acts as an immunity booster. As a result, increasing consumer awareness is increasing the demand for natural food colours.

Food regulatory agencies around the world are also contributing to the growing popularity of natural food colours. Initiatives are taken by food regulatory agencies to raise awareness about the adverse effects of synthetic food colouring. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), allows only certain synthetic food flavouring and colour additives. However, it permits the use of any natural food colouring in food products marketed in India. In the near future, the global market for natural food colours is expected to grow owing to the actions and interventions of the government and regulatory agencies.
Natural Food Colours Market Report

Natural Food Colours Market is Being Driven by Increasing Focus on Use of Organic and Plant-based Ingredients

Natural food colours are extensively used in a variety of foods and beverages. Some colourants are also found in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Consumers are more likely to appreciate visually appealing food products, so companies have started using natural food colours to improve the appearance of products in order to make it aesthetically more attractive. According to the Clean Label Alliance, approximately 75% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for clean-label products. Growing consumer health consciousness increases demand for natural and clean-label products, which in turn drives demand for natural food colours.

Consumers are moving towards clean-label products as they become more aware of the harmful impacts of synthetic components. Natural food colours are increasing in popularity and significance as a result of consumer awareness, as synthetic food colours cause serious health issues. Natural food colours are made from renewable resources, the majority of which are plant-based, such as carotenoids, chlorophyll, lutein, anthocyanidins, betalain and others taken from horticultural plants. Natural food colours, in addition to food colouring, act as antimicrobials, preventing a variety of disorders and diseases in humans. 

Recent Trends in the Natural Food Colours Industry

  • Growing demand for plant-based natural food colours.
  • Increase of natural food colours in organic products.
  • Natural food colours are increasingly used in functional beverages.
  • The trend towards vibrant natural colours from fruits, and vegetables.
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Price Fluctuations in Raw Materials, Less Vibrant than the Artificial Alternatives & Lower Shelf Life of Natural Food Colours are a Threat to Market Participants

The market's dependence on raw materials like fruits, vegetables and spices, combined with significant price fluctuations in the raw materials and lower shelf-life is expected to be a major restraint to market expansion. Natural food colours are heat sensitive; they must be thermally processed before being used. Some of these natural food colours are also light sensitive and some have pH values that fluctuate, thus, restricting the market.

Natural food colours are generally less vibrant than synthetic food colours. This, however, has no effect on the flavour of the food. Natural food colours are healthy, however, the colour is unstable, so a large amount is used to have a good colour. Meanwhile, synthetic food colours are durable and only a small amount of it can brighten the colour of the dish. Hence, artificial food colours have several economically significant properties over natural food colours, including low cost, resistance to light, pH and good colour stability that is hampering the natural food colours market.

Increased Investment & New Launches are Expected to Enhance Market Growth for Natural Food Colours

Market participants in the natural food colours market are developing novel products as alternatives to unhealthy synthetic alternatives. Significant R&D investments are also expected as players explore ways to make natural food colours more affordable. For instance, in June 2023, Oterra launched new, innovative natural food colouring blends in red and pink. These vibrant hues are designed to enhance the visual appeal of various products. The mixtures provide a natural alternative to artificial colours. This launch highlights Oterra's commitment to maintainable and high-quality food ingredients.

Furthermore, Divi's Nutraceuticals, launched CaroNat in Sep 2021, with the ability to provide orange and dark yellow colours to food products. Sun Chemical introduced the SUNFOODS range of natural colourants in Sep 2022, with the goal of meeting colouring needs in the food and beverage industries. Continuous innovation and technological improvements in the food processing industry are likely to drive market expansion. Current research continues to focus on discovering new natural food colour sources and developing strategies to significantly increase the shelf-life and stability of natural colours.
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Natural Food Colour Demand Driven by Clean Label Trend and Regulatory Policies

The United States is expected to dominate the North American market for natural food colours over the forecast period, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been vocal in its opposition to synthetic food colours in recent years. According to the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, all colour additives used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and food must be approved by the FDA before use. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and 23 other organizations filed a formal petition with the FDA in Oct 2022. The plea has sought a complete ban on the use of Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic food colour linked to cancer. The colour has been strongly criticized in the past for causing hyperactivity and other behavioural difficulties in children.

These developments are likely to encourage market players to use natural food colours to comply with FDA guidelines and regulations. The European Food Safety Authority has banned or strictly regulated food additives such as potassium bromate, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, potassium iodate and other synthetic colours in Europe. As a result of these restrictions and strict rules, players in the European food production sector are set to avoid legal repercussions by using natural food colours. Both public and private market players in developed European countries are boosting awareness about the benefits of natural food colours over synthetic alternatives. This is also likely to provide a boost to the European market for natural food colours.
The report provides a detailed overview of the natural food colours market insights in regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Oceania, and the Middle East and Africa. The country-specific assessment for the natural food colours market has been offered for all regional market shares, along with forecasts, market scope estimates, price point assessment, and impact analysis of prominent countries and regions. Throughout this market research report, Y-o-Y growth and CAGR estimates are also incorporated for every country and region, to provide a detailed view of the natural food colours market. These Y-o-Y projections on regional and country-level markets brighten the political, economic and business environment outlook, which are anticipated to have a substantial impact on the growth of the natural food colours market. Some key countries and regions included in the natural food colours market report as follows:
North America United States, Canada
Latin America Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Central America Countries, Caribbean Countries, Rest of Latin America
Europe Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Czech Republic, Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia & New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, Rest of Asia Pacific
Middle East and Africa GCC Countries, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Ethiopia, Algeria, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Rest of MEA

Natural Food Colours Market Research Report Covers In-depth Analysis on:

  • Natural food colours market detailed segments and segment-wise market breakdown
  • Natural food colours market dynamics (Recent industry trends, drivers, restraints, growth potential, opportunities in natural food colours industry)
  • Current, historical and forthcoming 10 years market valuation in terms of natural food colours market size (US$ Mn), volume (Tons), share (%), Y-o-Y growth rate, CAGR (%) analysis
  • Natural food colours market demand analysis
  • Natural food colours market pricing analysis over the forecast period (by key segment and by region)
  • Natural food colours market regional insights with region-wise market breakdown
  • Competitive analysis – key companies profiling including their market share, product offerings, and competitive strategies.
  • Latest developments and innovations in the natural food colours market
  • Regulatory landscape by key regions and key countries
  • Supply chain and value chain analysis in natural food colours market
  • Natural food colour market sales and distribution strategies
  • A comprehensive overview of the parent market
  • A detailed viewpoint on the natural food colours market forecast by countries
  • Mergers and acquisitions in the natural food colours market
  • Essential information to enhance market position
  • Robust research methodology

- Frequently Asked Questions -

What is the current trend in the natural food colours market?

The natural food colours market is seeing an increasing preference for plant-based and organic options as consumers become more health-conscious and aware of synthetic additives' potential risks.

Which industries are driving the growth of the natural food colours market?

The food and beverages industry, particularly in confectionery, dairy, and beverages, is the primary driver of the natural food colours market, owing to the rising demand for clean-label and health-conscious products.

What challenges are manufacturers facing in the natural food colours market?

Manufacturers face challenges such as high production costs, limited shelf-life, and the complexity of standardizing natural colours to match the consistency and performance of synthetic alternatives.