Diving overview:
- Biotech companies Phytolon and Ginkgo Bioworks announced a new milestone We are on a mission to expand the range of cell-engineered natural colors by creating a spectrum of shades from yellow to purple. This is a goal the companies have been aiming for since announcing their partnership in 2022. This tint can be used by formulators to add color to foods.
- The companies’ betalain dyes are made by fermentation using two different yeast strains and are expected to be brought to market soon. The companies said the color is safer for consumers and more sustainable than synthetic dyes.
- As food and beverage formulators increasingly seek clean-label alternatives to synthetic colors, this development could represent a major step toward achieving that goal.
Dive Insight:
Phytron and Ginkgo entered into a business partnership two years ago to accelerate the production of natural pigments made by fermentation for use in food products. Betalain pigments occur naturally in flowers, fungi, and fruits such as red beets and Swiss chard.
“This achievement puts our colors at the forefront to effectively replace artificial colors in food and create a healthier, more sustainable world,” said Phytron Co-Founder and CEO. Chief Technology Officer Tal Seltzer said in a press release.
Over the past decade, food and beverage manufacturers have sought to improve the health benefits of their products by using natural colors instead of synthetic dyes. Companies regularly pointed to data showing that consumers are less likely to buy foods containing dull colors than synthetic foods.
General Mills reformulated its Trix cereal with natural colors in 2016, leading some consumers to label the lighter shades as “depressing.” The cereal giant brought back Trix’s original formula with artificial colors in 2017.
There are also several other food giants such as Kellogg and Mars. Failed to achieve self-imposed goal of introducing natural colors into products.
The availability of brighter, more vibrant natural colors like Phytron could allow food producers to reduce artificial chemicals and clean up ingredient lists while maintaining the visual appeal of their products. there is. Collaboration with ginkgo biloba allows Phytron to produce its natural colors in larger quantities.
Advances in this field in recent years have primarily occurred in Europe, where several governments have passed strict regulations allowing food coloring manufacturers to use them in commercial products.
Despite slow adoption among major consumer goods companies in the U.S., the natural color space will become increasingly profitable as consumers continue to demand less artificial chemicals in their food. Probably.
This could prove important as Gen Z consumers gain purchasing power, especially if natural colors can evolve to more closely resemble artificial colors. According to one study, the natural color market is expected to be worth $2.9 billion by 2030 and increase at a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. Report from Polaris Market Research.
Other companies in the ingredients space are also making strides in incorporating natural pigments. Microma, a precision fermentation company, raised $6.4 million last spring to scale up its red food coloring, aimed at replacing petrochemical-based colorants. His GNT, an ingredient manufacturer, also produces Exberry, a coloring brand made from plants such as beets and chlorophyll.