Pigments

By FDA definition, a color additive is any dye, pigment or other substance made or obtained from a vegetable, animal, mineral or other source capable of coloring a food, drug, cosmetic or any part of the human body. Natural colors are classified by the FDA as "exempt from certification" colors. They come from a variety of natural sources, such as seeds (annatto), roots (turmeric), vegetables (red cabbage color; beet juice concentrate), algae (beta carotene), insects (carmine/cochineal), and fruits (grape color extract; grape skin extract).

Exempt colors are regulated by the Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 Part 73. There are 26 colorants permitted for food use, and 28 colorant permitted for use in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Although this sounds like a lot to choose from, many of these colors are restricted in terms of their application. Careful attention must be given to your color choice so only permitted/defined colors are used in your product.

Pharmaceuticals Pigments

Annatto Extract

ß-Carotene

Canthaxanthin

Caramel

Carmine

Cochineal Extract

Titanium Dioxide