Manufacturers urged to switch to natural colours

A leading authority on natural food colours has urged Australian food manufacturers to convert to natural food colours.

In an address to 80 key food manufacturing players, Chr. Hansen Business Development Director, APAC, Ji Hoong Too said that Australia is falling behind developing markets in conversion to natural colours.

Brazil, Russia, India and China have experienced growth in conversion to natural colours, Ji said. These countries are classified as developing markets. A recent update on EU food labelling legislation that requires warning labels on products containing artificial colours will prompt change, Ji said.

Ji predicted that change in Australia will only come about if the government feels pressure from consumers and supermarkets. She praised Aldi and Coles for their ‘No Artificial Colours’ policies for own-brand products.

“The implementation of warning labels on foods containing certain artificial colours in the EU and the UK has resulted in many manufacturers converting to natural colours,” Ji said. “In Australia and New Zealand, no warning labels are required, and as such the conversion away from artificial colours has progressed at a slower rate.”

While a number of iconic Australian brands such as Smarties, Paddle Pops and Fanta have already made the shift to natural colours, many brands continue to use artificial colours, Ji said.