Global Natural Food Color Market Outlook, 2029

In order to improve the appearance of food and beverages, colorants originating from natural sources such fruits, vegetables, plants, and minerals are produced and used worldwide. Historically, Natural Food Coloring has been around for ages. Saffron, beet juice, and turmeric were used by ancient cultures for their culinary and medicinal benefits. Growing health concerns and customer desire for clean-label products have led to a substantial shift in food coloring over the past few decades from synthetic to natural. The health advantages of natural food coloring are one of their unique features, since many natural colorants include bioactive chemicals and antioxidants. Natural food coloring can, however, provide stability and consistency issues, which spurs ongoing innovation and technical breakthroughs in extraction and formulation processes. In order to protect consumer safety, government agencies like the FDA in the US and EFSA in Europe create strict criteria for the use and labeling of natural food colors. These laws play a critical role in this business. These laws require strict toxicity and allergen city testing in addition to purity criteria being followed. This affects market dynamics and pushes producers to create natural colorants that are safer and more potent.

According to the research report, “Global Natural Food Color Market Outlook, 2029” published by Bonafide Research the market is anticipated to cross USD 3.35 Billion by 2029. Due to growing consumer demand for clean-label products and growing awareness of the health concerns associated with synthetic hues, the natural food color market is expected to rise significantly. The current state of the market is marked by a trend towards natural ingredients, driven by health-conscious consumers and strict regulatory guidelines. The quality and application range of natural colors are being improved by technological developments in the extraction and stabilization procedures, which is driving additional market expansion. Furthermore, the growing popularity of natural food colors might be attributed to the food and beverage industry's focus on natural and organic products. Due to well-established legal frameworks and consumer preferences, North America and Europe hold the largest market shares, while the Asia-Pacific area is expanding quickly as a result of rising disposable incomes and changing dietary habits. It is anticipated that the market for natural food coloring will keep growing due to ongoing advancements and a strong drive for environmentally friendly and health-conscious food options.

Market Drivers

• Growing Concern for Health and the Clean-Label Movement: The market for natural food coloring is primarily driven by customers' growing health consciousness, which results in a strong desire for clean-label products. Due to possible health concerns, today's consumers are increasingly aware of and worried about the components in their food, steering clear of synthetic chemicals and artificial additives. Because natural food colors are thought to be safer and healthier than synthetic dyes, they fit in with this health-conscious mentality. Natural food colors are produced from fruits, vegetables, and other natural sources. In response to public demand, manufacturers are being forced to reformulate their products using natural food coloring, as the clean-label movement promotes transparency, simplicity, and natural ingredients. Clean-label product adoption is more prevalent in areas like North America and Europe where regulatory bodies also support the use of natural additives, further propelling market growth.
• Growing Consumer Interest in Organic and Plant-Based Foods: The market for natural food colors is also significantly influenced by the rising demand for organic and plant-based meals. There is a growing need for food products that are not only nutrient-dense but also aesthetically pleasing without the use of artificial additives as more people switch to vegetarian, vegan, and flexitarian diets. In order to improve the visual attractiveness of plant-based and organic products and increase their consumer appeal, natural food colors are crucial. Furthermore, because synthetic chemicals are usually restricted or prohibited by organic certification criteria, the growth of the organic food business is directly associated with the natural food color sector.

Market Challenges



• Stability and Consistency Problems: Natural food coloring frequently has serious stability and consistency problems. Natural food colors can deteriorate or change color when exposed to elements like light, heat, pH changes, and oxygen, in contrast to synthetic dyes, which are chemically manufactured to be stable under a variety of situations. For example, the anthocyanin’s that give red, blue, and purple colors can be very sensitive to pH alterations, resulting in color differences that can impact the final product's aesthetic appeal. Because of its instability, the manufacturing process may become more difficult as producers must closely monitor environmental factors and may need to utilize stabilizers or other additives, which may take away from some of the product's "natural" appeal. For producers employing natural food coloring, achieving uniform color quality and preserving stability during the product's shelf life continues to be a major technological challenge.
• Cost and Supply Chain Restrictions: Compared to synthetic substitutes, the manufacture of natural food coloring may be more expensive. More labor-intensive and resource-intensive procedures are frequently needed for the extraction and processing of natural colorants from plants, fruits, vegetables, and other organic sources. Furthermore, crop variability, seasonal variations, and agricultural problems can all lead to a lower and more unpredictable colorant production from natural sources. The price of natural food coloring is higher as a result of these considerations. Moreover, the natural food coloring supply chain may have a more complicated and unreliable structure. Because of its reliance on agricultural output, supply is subject to fluctuations in the weather, natural disasters, and international affairs.

Market Trends

• Clean Label Movement and Consumer Demand for Natural Ingredients: The growing consumer demand for clean label products is one of the primary trends in the natural food color market, along with the clean label movement. Nowadays, consumers are more concerned about their health and favor food goods free of artificial coloring, preservatives, and additives. Manufacturers are replacing synthetic food coloring with natural alternatives made from fruits, vegetables, spices, and other plant sources in response to the trend for transparency and natural ingredients. Natural food colors are being more widely used in a variety of food and beverage categories, such as dairy, baked goods, confections, and beverages, as a result of the clean label movement, which is motivated by concerns about authenticity, safety, and health benefits. Strict labeling laws and regulations that promote the use of natural colorants in places like North America and Europe further help this trend.
• Innovation and Technological Developments in Natural Color Extraction: The extraction and stability of natural colorants, along with innovation and technological developments in this area, represent another noteworthy trend in the natural food color industry. Enhancing the sustainability and effectiveness of color extraction techniques has become a major focus of research and development due to the growing demand for natural food colors. Modern methods include enzymatic procedures, ultrasonic extraction, and supercritical fluid extractions are being used to improve the stability, purity, and yield of natural colorants. To extend the shelf-life and color retention of natural food colors under varied manufacturing and storage circumstances, businesses are now investing in encapsulation technology. These developments are broadening the range of brilliant, stable natural colors that manufacturers can offer to resist the demands of food processing, increasing the variety of goods that use them. By addressing the issues around the usage of natural colorants and satisfying the changing needs of consumers and the food sector, this trend is propelling market expansion.

Based on the report, the Ingredient segment is segmented into Beta-carotene, Carmine, Anthocyanin, Curcumin, Annatto & Others. Beta-carotene segment is expected to lead in the Natural Food Colors Market due to its wide range of applications and its natural origin from fruits and vegetables like carrots, which appeals to health-conscious consumers seeking clean-label products.

Because it serves as both a colorant and a vitamin, beta-carotene is the market leader for Natural Food Coloring. Beta-carotene is a naturally occurring pigment that gives food products their vivid yellow and orange hues. It can be found in fruits and vegetables like spinach, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Its popularity is a result of multiple important elements. First off, beta-carotene is a naturally occurring food coloring that is universally accepted as safe and effective. It is authorized for usage in the US, EU, and Asia-Pacific areas, among others. Its natural sourcing promotes transparency and health consciousness while matching customer demands for clean-label products. Beyond only being a food pigment, beta-carotene has nutritional advantages as a precursor to vitamin A, which is necessary for healthy skin, immune system, and vision. Because of its double purpose, beta-carotene is a popular option for food producers looking to improve the nutritional value of their goods without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. Its adaptability to a variety of food applications, such as dairy, drinks, baked goods, and confections, is further enhanced by its stability across a broad range of processing conditions, such as heat and light.

Based on the report, the Application segment is segmented into Bakery & Confectionery, Beverages, Dairy & Frozen Products, Meat Products, Meat Alternatives/ Plant-based Meat, Fruits & Vegetables and Others. The Plant-based Meat segment is estimated to grow at a higher growth rate in the Natural Food Colors Market; to enhance their visual appeal and mimic traditional meat products more closely, driving the growth of Natural Food Colors in the plant-based meat segment.

There are multiple interrelated variables that have contributed to the rise of the plant-based meat sub segment in the Natural Food Color Market. First off, there is a growing desire for meat substitutes that are not only nutrient-dense but also aesthetically pleasing and devoid of artificial additives as plant-based diets become more and more popular around the world. Natural food coloring, such as that found in beetroot, paprika, and turmeric, is a great way to improve the appearance of plant-based meats and draw in more customers. Second, customer tastes are being greatly impacted by the clean-label movement. Customers are reading product labels more carefully and choosing goods with fewer artificial chemicals and additives. These preferences are well-matched by natural food colors, which are thought to be healthier and safer than synthetic dyes. In order to meet customer expectations for transparency and health-conscious choices, producers of plant-based meats have reformulated their products using natural food colors in response to the shift towards clean-label products. Furthermore, the use of Natural Food Colors in food items, particularly plant-based meats, is encouraged by the regulatory framework in several places, including North America and Europe. To guarantee food safety and compliance, regulatory bodies like the FDA in the US and the EFSA in Europe have approved a variety of natural colorants for use in food.


North America Region is dominating the Natural Food Color Market due to stringent regulations favouring natural ingredients, while APAC experiences rapid growth driven by increasing consumer demand for clean-label products and expanding food and beverage sectors.

There are a few main reasons behind North America's Market dominance in Natural Food Coloring. First off, the area boasts a strong legislative framework that backs natural ingredient use in food goods, in line with customer preferences for healthier and clean-label options. Many natural food colors have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory agencies, giving businesses clear rules and encouraging creativity in product development. Furthermore, buyers in North America are becoming more concerned about their health and are prepared to spend more for goods that they believe to be natural and secure. However, a number of factors are causing the Natural Food Color Market in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to rise rapidly. The economies of the APAC region are expanding significantly, which has increased consumer disposable income and altered food patterns. Demand is being driven by this increased awareness of the health advantages of natural food colors across a number of food and beverage sectors. Additionally, the area is home to a wide variety of naturally occurring food colorants, including paprika, spirulina, and turmeric, which are accessible locally and incorporated into culinary customs. Because of the wide range of raw materials available, the natural food color market in Asia is expanding at the quickest rate in the world.


Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report
• Natural Food Color Market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Ingredient
• Beta-carotene
• Carmine
• Anthocyanin
• Curcumin
• Annatto
• Others

By Application
• Bakery & Confectionery
• Beverages
• Dairy & Frozen Products
• Meat Products
• Meat Alternatives/ Plant-based Meat
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Others

By Source
• Plants & Animals
• Minerals

By Form
• Liquid
• Powder

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Natural Food Color industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.