Taking Clean Label to the Next Level
‘Clean label’ has been a buzzword and trending in the food and beverage industry for years.
While not being generally defined, the term “clean label” generally refers to the back of pack labelling and consumers’ wish to contain recognizable ingredients only. The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) comments, “clean label means making a product using as few ingredients as possible, and making sure those ingredients are items that consumers recognize and think of as wholesome—ingredients that consumers might use at home. It seeks out foods with easy-to-recognize ingredients and no artificial ingredients or synthetic chemicals, and it has become associated with ‘trust’ with manufacturers of food.”1 Consumers are drawn to food and beverage products with uncomplicated, clear, and short ingredient lists as safer and more natural options that are perceived to be healthier.
Maintaining a straightforward list of natural ingredients on food or beverage labels enables consumers of all age groups to enjoy products with trust.
Yet food innovators are working with moving targets, as public opinion, regulations, or events that may elevate consumers’ expectation towards some topics and put others on the backseat at times. The spectrum of ‘clean label’ is broad, so let’s take a look at some common themes Sensient’s innovation experts and technical teams are frequently consulted for:
Demand in Food & Beverage Formulations
Achieve vibrant colours with natural colour
and colouring food
SWITCHING SYNTHETIC TO NATURAL COLOURS
Can I replace my synthetic colour with
a natural colour or even colouring food without compromising on colour shade?
Of course, you can replace synthetic colours, and our technical team has decades of experience in finding just the right natural alternative to best meet your objectives. Explore more about natural colour conversion for your application through our recent blog.
FOOD SAFETY – SENSIENT’S CERTASURE
Formulating with colouring from
plant-based sources, how do I ensure
my food colour supplier complies to my company’s strict food safety targets?
Sensient’s food safety program goes beyond table stakes. Natural innovation with peace-ofmind, protection from product recall, and safe consumption for consumers is Sensient’s commitment to you. Read more on
Certasure here.
DISTINCTIVE COLOURING SOLUTIONS
I am currently purchasing a black carrot concentrate. Keeping it simple, why would I consider a new one in my formulation project?
Black carrots are a naturally versatile and bright option for beverages, as they can provide a range of shade options from bright reds to magentas to fuchsia purples with comparable usage rates. Distinctive, yet cost- effective colour hues: Sensient’s experts have a full portfolio of options to play with colour to maximize product distinctiveness, yet keeping a simple labelling. Read more on this colouring here.
EMBRACING SIMPLICITY IN INGREDIENT LISTS
Are we able to shorten our ingredient list without compromising on the colour shades?
Sensient’s technical teams are the perfect partner to optimize colouring solutions whilst maintaining perfect colour performance.
HOW TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF COLOURING INGREDIENTS WHILE MAINTAINING THE SHADES
Market Sample’s colouring
Ingredient List on Pack
Alternative “Shorter Label”
Offer from Sensient
Fruit concentrates: Safflower, Spirulina, Radish, Apple, Sweet Potato, Carrot, Black currant, Hibiscus, Lemon
Fruit concentrates: Safflower, Paprika, Black Carrot, Spirulina
CARDEA™ TO SUPPORT NATURALNESS
For my new ‘all natural’ launch concept, which clean label colour would you recommend?
Sensient’s Cardea range of colouring solutions is designed to meet the most advanced clean label colouring needs with the entire formulations being free from additives and preservatives. Discover Sensient’s Cardea platform that supports a product formulation with clean label ingredients and vibrant colouring foods here.
REPLACING INGREDIENTS WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Can you support to replace ingredients that are no longer desired by consumers?
With vegan claims on the rise boosting the demand for Carmine replacement, regulatory changes within the food and beverage industry such as TiO2 banned in Europe, and Caramel colouring desired to be replaced – test our competency to provide you with the best alternatives for your end application available today that will meet he consumer demands.
HIGH COLOUR-LOAD FOR OPTIMAL
INGREDIENT USAGE
Is there a way to reduce the colour dosage in my formulation? Or to have the colour last on the ingredient list?
In order to optimize the colour pigment yield, it is key to select the right shade grades that best provide those properties desired. A key factor that contributes to the cost of natural colours in a final product formulation is the usage rate. Explore Sensient’s range of solutions with high colour-load for low dosing with perfect results and optimized cost-in-use here.
64% of consumers select products with simple, clean ingredients that they recognize to be healthy.
With no-no lists becoming stricter and more prevalent, our customers constantly need cleaner label solutions. Our R&D team is glad to support in your next generation of clean ingredient innovations! Are you interested in some of the project challenges above? Let’s team up on your colour needs here.
