|
Primary
Dyes
What
are Primary Dyes?
Primary
Dyes are the basic synthetic food colours used in the
majority of food manufacturing applications. Synthetic
dyes are very stable and cost-effective when used to
colour food products.
Where
should I use them?
Dyes
dissolve in water and can be manufactured as powders,
granules or liquids. Dyes are best used in applications
where moisture is a part of the food product. They are
typically used in beverages, baked goods, cereals, confections,
dairy products, desserts, pet foods, pharmaceuticals,
smoked fish and snack foods.
What
shades are available and permitted for use in Canada
and the USA?
Regulations:
Food Colour Primary dyes are regulated in all countries.
In Canada there are eight primary colours regulated
by The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and in the United
States there are seven primary colours that are allowed
for use in food manufacturing. These seven colours are
regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The following
table lists the primary synthetic colours that are permitted
for use in Canada and the USA.
| Product
Name |
Hue |
Permitted
for Use |
Maximum
Usage ** |
Sample |
Allura
Red
FD&C Red # 40 |
Orange-Red |
Canada
USA |
300
ppm
GMP |
|
| Amaranth |
Red |
Canada
|
300
ppm |
|
Brilliant
Blue FCF
FD&C Blue # 1
|
Bright
Blue |
Canada
USA |
100
ppm
GMP |
|
Erythrosine
FD&C Red # 3 |
Cherry
Red |
Canada
USA |
300
ppm
GMP |
|
Fast
Green FCF
FD&C Green # 3
|
Sea
Green |
Canada
USA |
100
ppm
GMP |
|
Indigotine
FD&C Blue # 2 |
Royal
Blue |
Canada
USA |
300
ppm
GMP |
|
Tartrazine
FD&C Yellow # 5
|
Lemon
Yellow |
Canada
USA |
300
ppm
GMP |
|
Sunset
Yellow
FD&C Yellow # 6 |
Orange
|
Canada
USA |
300
ppm
GMP |
|
**
Maximum usage is as consumed when prepared according
to the label directions. GMP = Good Manufacturing Practice
Regulations
governing the use of Food Colours are specific to each
individual country. Please consult
us for up to date information when exporting products
containing Food Colour around the globe.
Dye
Blends
Along
with the range of Primary Dyes available, Calico can
provide you with a dye blend to extend the range of
colours available to you. Blends are made specifically
for each application and out lab staff would be pleased
to work with you to develop the shade that is right
for your application. Shades attainable using dye blends
include, Black, Green, Purple, Brown and just about
every colour in between.
If
you are blending your own colours in your plant think
of the time and inconvenience caused by the dustiness
of food colours. Not only will this save you time and
money we can provide a more consistent blend to ensure
you don't see variation from lot to lot. Each lot of
a blend is matched to a QC standard stored in our spectrophotometer
and product is not shipped until that standard is met.
Liquid
Colours
More
and more food manufacturers are looking at the internal
cost of handling powdered colours in their plants and
are seeing the advantages of using liquid colours. Liquid
food colours are normally dissolved in aqueous solution
and are stabilized against microbial contamination.
Dye strengths of 10% or less are generally supplied
although higher dye strengths in some cases are possible.
Calico
can provide liquid solutions in a variety of containers
including 4 litre jugs, 20litre pails, or even reusable
totes. Liquid colours offer a number of advantages including
reduced clean up costs, no worries about cross contamination,
reduced time in dissolving of colours and much happier
employee's.
For
more information on Primary Dyes, please contact
us.
|
