Natural Colour
What is Natural Colour?
Natural colours are pigments extracted from plant, animal, or mineral sources. They are used to impart or restore colour to foods, making them more visually appealing. Extraction methods vary depending on the source material, often involving solvents or physical processes.
Is Natural Colour a major allergen?
Natural colours are not typically derived from the 14 major allergens.
What is Natural Colour used for?
Manufacturers use natural colours to enhance the visual appeal of food and drink products, or to replace colour lost during processing.
Is Natural Colour safe?
Natural colours are authorised food additives in Great Britain and listed on the Register of Food Additive Authorisations.
Why it's used
Manufacturers use natural colours to enhance the visual appeal of food and drink products, or to replace colour lost during processing. They are commonly found in beverages, confectionery, dairy products, and baked goods.
Health notes
Natural colours are authorised food additives in Great Britain and listed on the Register of Food Additive Authorisations. European food safety authorities (EFSA) have evaluated many natural colourings. While generally considered safe at typical consumption levels, some natural colourings may be derived from sources that could be allergenic for sensitive individuals. Evidence regarding specific health effects at typical intake is generally reassuring, but ongoing scientific review is standard practice for all food additives.
Allergen info
Natural colours are not typically derived from the 14 major allergens. However, if a natural colour is derived from a source that is one of the 14 allergens (e.g., carmine from insects, annatto from seeds), it must be declared. Not a major allergen unless derived from an allergenic source.
Foods that contain Natural Colour
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