FDBusiness.com

LycoRed has announced its latest formulation for natural beta-carotene colour, Lyc-O-Beta 1% CWS. Lyc-O-Beta is an innovative, natural beta-carotene colour in powder form, designed to instantly dissolve when mixed with cold water. It is suitable for use in a variety of applications such as beverages, dairy, bakery and confectionery.

Lyc-o-Beta’s formulation not only provides a natural and vibrant colour, it also ensures the daily dietary requirement for vitamin A and compensates for vitamin A deficiencies in cases of inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Natural beta-carotene is also known as a potent anti-oxidant and can protect against oxidative damage on a cellular level.

According to Innova Market Insights, changes in the European regulatory levels resulted in a decline in the use of the so-called ‘Southampton Six’ artificial colours, which have been forced to carry a warning label since July 20th, 2010. Analysis of the top colours being used in confectionery found significant declines for certain artificial colours, including quinoline yellow and sunset yellow.

“Food and beverage manufacturers are facing significant high-stability problems when using natural colourants,” explains Udi Alroy, vice president global marketing & sales at LycoRed. “A key aspect of this new colourant is the high stability of Lyc-O-Beta 1% CWS, both within the powder itself and when released into the food matrix. This has been achieved by optimizing the formulation and the anti-oxidant system used to protect the colour.”

Lyc-O-Beta 1% CWS is highly stable to heat, light and oxygen as well as across a wide range of pH. This new colourant allows variations in shade from vibrant yellow to orange and delivers a natural and healthy colour to existing and new formulations. It is suitable for a wide range of applications, including: carbonated beverages, decorative icing, ice cream, ready to drink beverages, fruit preparations, jelly beans, panned confectionary and more.

“Over the years our natural colourants have gained wide recognition within industry for their high quality and excellent performance,” notes Udi Alroy. “LycoRed follows the stringent regulations of the European Commission in order to provide a healthy and natural solution for its customers. We have conducted an extensive range of application trials using our new Lyc-O-Beta 1% CWS. Plus, our in-house application expertise supports our customers in order to ensure a short time to market.” By offering a competitive natural solution based on a 1:1 comparability to the leading market shade, LycoRed is answering a growing consumer trend toward natural solutions and is poised to replace the synthetic product still used in the market today.

LycoRed is a science-based company with regional facilities in the US, Europe and Israel. It supplies natural carotenoids and a wide range of other nutritional and colouring ingredients to the dietary supplement, functional food and beverage and nutricosmetic industries worldwide.

Visit LycoRed at VitaFoods – Booth 651. For more information visit www.lycored.com or www.lycopene.com.