Food coloring red 40 dye, also known as E129, is an artificial coloring used in foods and beverages to give them a bright red color. It is commonly used in products such as candy, cereals, beverages, sports drinks, baby food and several more different products.
The use of this artificial coloring has brought many controversies from the industry. One of the main concerns is that red 40 may contain impurities, such as benzene, a chemical compound known to be carcinogenic. Another concern is that red 40 may cause allergic reactions in some people, also there are several scientific studies that links the consumption of this colorant with several psychological disorders such as hyperactivity, lack of concentration and more
In order to avoid consuming this potentially harmful dye, there are different options from natural sources including:
- Carmine: Natural red dye extracted from cochineal, used in a wide range of different products.
- Turmeric: Colorant extracted from this species, which is used to give an orange color.
- Paprika: Extracted from the bell pepper of the same name, it gives a reddish color.
- Beet: This colorant provides a pink color for both food and beverages.
With all the natural alternatives to red 40, it is possible to predict that the use of this artificial dye will decrease over time, while dyes from natural sources will have an increase in demand, as can already be observed in these periods.
At IMBAREX we have a portfolio of natural colorants suitable for use in all types of products. Contact us here so that our experts can help you with the choice of the right colorant for your product.
