In response to consumer demand for more transparency in the labeling of food and beverages, Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Kalsec offers carotenes from carrot extract as a natural color source. According to the company, a recent survey showed that 8 of 10 consumers expressing a preference preferred carrot extract on their food or beverage ingredient label versus beta-carotene.

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“Based on many current ingredient labeling standards, consumers cannot distinguish if their food and beverages contain a natural or chemically-derived beta-carotene color source,” said Carol Locey, natural colors product director at Kalsec. “Carrot extract allows food and beverage processors to provide what consumers want — a clearly identified, natural color source.”

Other natural carotenes can provide challenges due to their variability, stability, and storage and handling requirements. Fruit and vegetable juices, for example, may create inconsistent color expression in food and beverages as seen on grocery store shelves. The company’s carrot extracts are also available with Durabrite stabilization technology for improved shelf-life stability in a wide range of applications. The carrot extracts also may serve as replacement for Yellow 5 & 6, mixed carotenoids and synthetic beta-carotine.