About Natural Red Food Colors
While many people don’t think about what goes into their foods and drinks, they should – there are plenty of alternatives to artificial red food coloring. Natural dyes not only produce a more muted look, but can add flavor and nutritional value to your creations.
Using natural red food colorants can also be less toxic, and more environmentally friendly. Natural dyes are water-soluble, which makes them safe to use in beverages and other foods with a high liquid content. They’re also safe to eat, and they won’t stain. This means you won’t have to worry when your little one smears red frosting all over their tee, and it will wipe right off when they brush their teeth.
Most food companies use both artificial and natural colors in their products. Artificial food dyes don’t occur naturally, and were created in a laboratory by chemists. Natural food colorings, on the other hand, come from natural sources such as beets or strawberries.
Some of the most popular natural red food colorings include beet powder, hibiscus flowers, and boiled cranberries. While some of these dyes may contain ingredients that make some people go yuck, they’re still a healthier alternative to chemical-laden synthetic food colorings. For instance, carmine (also known as cochineal extract), a common ingredient in many food colorings, is derived from the female insect of the cochineal beetle. While it’s harmless, it may cause allergic reactions in some people and is unsuitable for vegans.Natural Red Food Colors