Redefining reformulation with natural colours [Interview]

Grocery costs and rising inflation are purchasing concerns shared by many consumers. While manufacturers are looking for lower cost solutions to meet these demands, cost must always be balanced with consumer desire for natural and recognisable ingredients that are responsibly sourced.

“Reformulation can be a challenging undertaking,” says Andrew Kendrick, new product development manager for Givaudan Sense Colour. “Cost requirements, consumer expectations, and regulatory compliance are just some of the considerations that must be accounted for.”

In addition, manufacturers need to be sure that they are sourcing ingredients with secure supply chains. Selecting the right colour is critical here, given its importance as an indicator of flavour, texture, and other organoleptic properties. Key concerns also include colour stability throughout processing and shelf-life, compliance with regulations across markets, and ensuring compliance with sustainability objectives.

Expertise across a range of colours

Kendrick will touch on these issues at this year’s Fi Europe and provide guidance on how natural colours can transform reformulation. “Givaudan Sense Colour is dedicated solely to supporting customers with their natural colour needs,” he explains.

“We entered the natural colours market when we acquired Naturex in 2018 and DDW, The Color House in 2021. Sense Colour is the combination of these two legacy companies and was officially launched in January 2024.”

Kendrick notes that the company has expertise across a range of colours. “We have been players in the caramel colour industry for more than 155 years thanks to DDW’s legacy of expertise,” he says. “We also have a line of natural colour emulsions, a range of clean label colouring foods options, as well as strengths in annatto, phycocyanins like spirulina, and vertically integrated anthocyanins.”

Givaudan will also be displaying its new Endure red beet at Fi Europe’s new product zone. This is a heat stable, kosher red option from beets that retains its colour throughout thermal processing and is suitable for a range of vegan bakery applications.

Supporting customers with natural colour needs

Aside from an extensive product range, the company has also built strong relationships with its customers to help them through reformulation and new product development. “A major advantage of Sense Colour is being part of Givaudan,” says Kendrick. “While our group focuses only on colour, we work closely with the wider organisation to create fully integrated solutions that include flavour, botanicals, and other ingredients.”

A good example of where Sense Colour can help is with recent supply chain and cost issues associated with commodities like citrus and cocoa. “When supply chain issues like this occur, manufacturers generally need to reduce the amount of ingredient in order to maintain their margins,” say Kendrick. “This however can result in a change in colour, texture, or flavour, and can lead to a perceived quality issue by the consumer.”

By adding back in colour, like caramel colour or burnt sugars in the case of cocoa, or beta-carotene or orange carrot in the case of orange juice, Sense Colour can help ensure there are no perceived differences in the final product while protecting cost and quality standards. “A benefit of being part of Givaudan is that we have a wide portfolio of flavours and ingredients and can offer an integrated solution where more than just colour is needed,” Kendrick adds.  

Support throughout the reformulation process

During his presentation on reformulation at Fi Europe, Kendrick will share examples of how different colouring solutions and approaches have helped manufacturers to reformulate their products. Several companies for instance have had to reformulate, to comply with regulatory challenges when exporting to new countries.

“Some European companies required support to move to a new natural colour system that was suitable for the US,” says Kendrick. “These manufacturers of course wanted to retain the same levels of colour delivery and performance. There were challenges, but we successfully overcame these together.”

For Kendrick, a key message at Fi Europe will be that manufacturers don’t have to take on reformulation alone. “We are here to support them through whatever external forces are requiring them to adapt their products,” he says. “We can also help them to future proof new product developments, to predict potential reformulation needs and then address these proactively.”