What are Artificial Colors?

Artificial colors are widely used in different types of products and items available in the market today. Right from nail polish, medications, toothpaste, food products and almost every other item today consists of artificial colors. In fact, our clothes, shoes, bed linens and carpets also consist of artificial colors or cosmetic colors that make them look more attractive and appealing. Read on to find out more about artificial colors and their usage.

Artificial Colors Defined

Artificial colors are basically a combination of seven artificial dyes that have been approved by the food authorities. These colors include Blue 1, Green 3, Blue 2, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 6 and Yellow 6. Thus, the manufacturers can use certain combination of colors for creating cosmetic pigments depending upon their choice and preference. The artificial colors are basically sourced from a combination of different food dyes.

Reasons for Avoiding Artificial Colors in Food

It is no hidden secret that artificial colors consist of different types of chemicals that are usually extracted from petroleum based products. Thus, they can cause numerous health problems such as allergy problems, cancer and other behavioral changes. Some of the common problems caused by artificial colors include ADHD, Confusion, Eczema, Frustration, Hyperactivity, Itchiness, Mood Swings and Sleep Disturbances and Violent outbursts among other health issues. As a result, a number of European food manufacturing companies are not using artificial or cosmetic colors in their products.

• Hyperactive Children: Artificial colors often make children more hyperactive and impact their learning ability negatively. According to the washingtonpost, artificial food colors can cause children with no behavioral issues inattentive and hyperactive.
• Do Not Add Any Value: Artificial colors do not add any value to our food items. The truth is that artificial colors are only used for making food and beverages attractive and appealing. Hence, the food and drug authorities are now banning the use of artificial colors in food products.However, they have permitted the use of cosmetic colors or artificial colors in production of cosmetic products. A growing number of cosmetic companies use cosmetic lakes, consisting of iron oxide, titanium dioxide and ultramarines, at the time of manufacturing their beauty products and items.
• Cause Obesity Problems: Another reason why artificial colors must not be included in food products is because they cause obesity problems. Both adults and children are easily attracted to junk food items simply because they are more colorful and appealing. This often causes obesity in them and many of them tend to gain unnecessary weight.

Given the above scenario, an increasing number of food products manufacturing companies are now replacing artificial colors with natural or organic colors. In fact, in the U.S. alone around 40 percent of food and beverage manufacturers have replaced artificial colors with natural colors. These natural colors are extracted from organic or natural sources and are undoubtedly good for health. Consumers must therefore go through the labels on their food packets and products and find out whether the ingredients and colors used for making them are natural or artificial.

5 Myths of Organic Colors

Organic colors are increasingly preferred by consumers in their food, cosmetics as well as beverages. In fact, a growing number of consumers want colors to have organic pigments derived from natural and quality sources. According to a recent study, around 66 percent of consumers demand organic colors instead of synthetic colors in their food, beverages and other products. Needless to mention, color is one of the main things that people use for recalling the quality and taste of their favorite food items. This is precisely why almost every company and brand is now using natural color pigments at the time of designing and creating of their products. However, there are several myths and misconceptions about organic colors. Here, find top 5 myths about organic colors.

• Myth One: The Shade Vibrancy must be Sacrificed: The truth is that based on the type of the application, one can achieve vivid and bright shades. A number of food items from Europe lack the vibrancy that is usually found in food products from North as well as South America. However, the fact is the food manufacturing companies in Europe started using colored natural pigments much before the companies in North or South America. Apart from this, Europe’s food manufacturing companies use coloring food that offers minimal vibrancy. On the other hand, consumers in North America always prefer using natural color obtained from natural sources.
• Myth Two: Shade Should Be Variable: It is not necessary for food manufacturing companies to maintain variability at the time of using organic colors. Companies that manufacture natural colors maintain the requisite standards, quality and consistency during the production of organic colors.
• Myth Three: Organic colors leave Behind Unwanted Off- Flavors: While, it is true that there are plenty of organic colors sources that leave off-flavors behind, however, with the advanced purification and filtration technologies available today, one can easily get rid of the undesirable flavors obtained via natural sources. Thus, organic color products and solutions can be easily customized to achieve the desired shade without leaving any undesired flavor behind.
• Myth Four: Organic Colors are Not Very Stable: This is a very common misconception among consumers. However, this isn’t really true. In a recent study conducted on panned chocolate, the organic color was much more stable in comparison to the synthetic color.
• Myth Five: Organic Colors Are Very Expensive: This is yet another common myth and one that certainly needs to be clarified. When it comes to buying any food item, consumers usually pay heed to both color and flavor. Thus, organic colors are not always expensive. In fact, synthetic colors are much more efficient.

To sum up, organic colors are absolutely safe and can be conveniently included in the different types of food products, beverages and other items. In fact, many consumers in North America are now demanding organic colors in their products. As a result, organic color manufacturing companies are now using technologies and tools to improve the quality, performance and cost of the organic colors.