Natural food colors
Red
It’s no wonder red food can make our mouth water. So many of the flavors we love are associated with red-colored food. Think about cherries, strawberries, chili, barbeque, cinnamon and “medium rare.” They have vastly different flavors, and all of them red. It’s a hue that hold a special place in the hearts of chefs, who are always looking for new combinations of contrasting flavors and colors to make their dishes more appealing. If you are a food manufacturer, achieving the perfect red color can be a challenge.
Skip down the page to read more about red
Red in nature
What red means to people
The history of red being used as a color
Red in food
Why food manufacturers choose Oterra
Red in nature
The plant kingdom
The red color that occurs naturally in plants comes from pigments. Three of the four main categories of pigments found in plants – anthocyanins, carotenoids, and betalains – can produce red. (Only chlorophylls does not.) Carotenoids are the most common pigment in nature but are used primarily for yellow and orange when producing natural food colors, whereas anthocyanins and betalains are used to create sustainable natural red food coloring. In nature, red color in plants has several important ecological functions.
Attracting pollinators: colorful red flowers attract pollinators. Surprisingly, we have birds to thank for pollinating most red flowers around the world (1), while insects are primarily attracted to white, blue, and yellow (2). Red berries say, “eat me,” so birds will eat them and spread the seeds elsewhere for propagation.
Warning: red hues are often associated with toxic substances like poisonous red berries or mushrooms. So paradoxically, red can be an attractor and a warning signal in nature to deter predators.
Seasonal transitions: When trees and bushes stop producing chlorophylls in the autumn, the green color degrades, and we see the yellows and reds that have been there all along. These red, orange, and yellow pigments protect the plants and assist in its photosynthesis. The red anthocyanins are protective and prevent cell damage, for example from the cold, with the antioxidants they produce.
The animal kingdom
Animals have also evolved to use red as a signaling color. It’s a phenomenon called aposematism, where prey animals clearly signal to predators that they not worth eating. A ladybug is a good example. Interestingly enough, no one knows exactly how ladybugs get red shells. One idea is that they eat aphids, which can produce carotenoids (3). So perhaps they are one of many examples where animals become a color based on their diet.
Of course, for red to become a warning signal, the animal must accompany the color with something that actually makes them unpleasant, like toxicity or a foul taste or smell. It’s such an effective tactic that other animals have evolved to use red as a signaling color even though they are perfectly edible! Predators learn not to attack red-colored prey based on previous experience.
Red is also a signal for dominance. Several species of male monkeys and birds with red signaling attributes are more successful in mating and gaining territory than their less red counterparts. One Australian study from 2009 concluded that finches are born with an innate sense to avoid competitors that are colored red (4).
The natural world
Pigments aren’t the only reason we see red in our natural world. Rubies are red because they contain chromium which absorbs green and yellow, reflecting red back to us. The reason we see a red sky at sunset is due to the sun’s light passing through more of the atmosphere and how light scatters. Red geological features, like the Grand Canyon, are from forms of iron oxide called hematite or red ochre. Iron oxide also makes Mars red. The red color of our blood comes from a protein called hemoglobin. Light scattering is also responsible for why we see red fire; it’s mainly temperature dependent and burns red when it is 977-1,830 degrees Fahrenheit (525-999 degrees Celsius).
The meaning of red
Universal associations with red
Red has multiple meanings
Based on our many experiences with red in the natural world, it’s no wonder that the meaning of red for humans is complex. It’s the color of passion, energy, attraction, and romance. But it’s also a color that represents strength and power as well as danger and caution.
Even so, the strongest universal emotion associated with red is love-- by a whopping 68%.(5)
Winning with red
Red signals strength
Anger is associated with a reddening of the skin due to increased blood flow, whereas fear is associated with pale skin. Becoming redder in aggressive interactions may also reflect dominance in people.
A study of four combat sports in the 2004 Olympic Games was completed to see if the color of contestants’ clothes influenced the outcome (6). In boxing, taekwondo, Greco-Roman wrestling and freestyle wrestling, contestants wearing red won a statistically significant number of fights.
Cultural meanings of red
The many meanings of red
And of course, red causes different associations based on people’s culture (7).
Western Europe & North America: danger, excitement, adventure, action, courage, anger, love, passion, heat, eroticism, desire, radicalism. In Eastern Europe add power, good luck and radicalization.
Asia: happiness and success. In China, it also symbolizes good luck, marriage and fertility, whereas in Japan, red has connotations of danger, excitement, anger, love, passion, desire, strength, warding off evil.
India: Energy, eroticism, heat, marriage, passion Middle East: heat, danger, evil, caution Native American: passion, success African: anger, good luck South American: danger, success
The language of red
People experience color through nature. It affects how we feel about the color and how talk about it. Here are some English idioms that use the color red (8).
Paint the town red
To go out into a city or town and have an enjoyable time, typically by visiting various establishments, such as bars, restaurants, clubs, etc.
Get the red-carpet treatment
To receive a particularly warm welcome or reception marked by great or elaborate hospitality, ceremony, or fanfare.
Red-letter day
A very important or significant day
Be on red alert
To be very attentive and ready to act. This term is often applied to soldiers.
Red as a beet
Blushing or flushed, especially from embarrassment. Primarily heard in US. In the UK it is “red as a beetroot.”
To see red
To be very angry about something
Like a red flag to a bull
To be something that incites great anger or annoyance. An allusion to matadors' practice of waving red flags at a bull during a bullfight, though the color of the flag actually makes no difference to the animal.
Catch (someone) red-handed
To see, and perhaps apprehend, someone as they are doing something (often something nefarious). The phrase might have originally referred to blood on a murderer's hands.
Not worth a red cent
Worthless. The cent has long been the lowest denomination of American coin, and “red” refers to the fact that it used to be made of copper. The expression dates from the early nineteenth century. J. S. Jones used it in People’s Lawyer (ca. 1839): “It would not have cost you a red cent.”
The history of red pigments and dyes
Prehistoric cave paintings were mostly colored in red, black, and white. The red often came from clay colored by iron oxide, called ochre, or other iron oxide compounds like hematite. Sometimes red was made from a plant called madder, whose roots can be made into a red dye. Later a red dye called Kermes was created by drying and crushing the bodies of a female insect called Kreme vermilio. The Romans imported it from Spain. A similar dye was made from the Armenian cochineal scale insects and was mentioned in texts as early as 8th century BC. Cochineal is still used as a natural red color.
In ancient Egypt, people would color themselves with red ochre during celebrations, and women used it as a cosmetic. Red was associated with life, health, and victory. The ancient Romans wore red-striped togas on holidays and brides wore a red shawl at their wedding. Roman soldiers wore red tunics, and red was associated with their god of war, Mars.
In the Middle Ages, after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, red was used as a color of majesty and authority by both the princes of Europe and the church. Across the sea in Latin America, the Aztecs and other cultures used cochineal to color themselves; it eventually became a profitable export from Spanish Mexico to Europe.
In the 1700’s red began to take on a new meaning of resistance and revolution, and became the color associated with labor movements, revolutions and eventually socialism and communism.
Red in food
Red has always been a color used to garner attention, from the early paintings of the master’s to now, when red is a favorite color for eye-catching food packaging.
Around the world when people are asked their favorite color, the answer is most often blue or green. But when asked about the favorite color in food or beverage, they answer red or pink. People associate red with "sweet" or "umami."(9)
Food manufacturers also need to produce all shades of red in food products. Not only does it attract attention, but its red color reflects many favorite flavors, not to mention being a vital contribution to protein meat-alternatives.
Confectionery & baked goods
Cherry, raspberry, watermelon, strawberry, cinnamon, pomegranate, red apple, lingon berry, fruit punch
Snacks & condiments
Barbeque, red pepper, paprika, sriracha
Natural red food coloring: the Oterra difference
In some parts of the world, food manufacturers still color their food with synthetic, artificial colors. The most commonly-used artificial red food color is Red No. 40, also called Allure Red. Some countries have legislated in favor of using of natural food colors, which they consider to be healthier. In other countries, food manufacturers use natural red colors when consumers demand it.
Oterra can help meet these requirements with clean, sustainable, natural red food coloring aligned with the clean label trends of recent years. We offer natural red colors ranging from some of the most well-proven to some of the most innovative. Oterra developed the Hansen sweet potato that contains a unique red shade, which is an ideal solution for red gummy candies or bright red beverages.
Wouldn't your consumers prefer natural colors?
From left to right, these hard candies are colored with FD&C Red 40 (Allure Red), sweet potato, black carrot and an anthocyanin / beta carotene blend.
From left to right, this dairy-based ice cream is colored with FD&C Red 40 (Allure Red), red beet/fungus carotene, red beet/fungus carotene, cochineal, red beet/orange carrot.
From left to right, this powdered soft drink is colored with FD&C Red 40 (Allure Red), black currant and sweet potato.
From left to right, this water ice is colored with FD&C Red 40 (Allure Red), red beet/fungus carotene, Hansen sweet potato, black carrot/turmeric.
From left to right, this extruded cereal is colored with FD&C Red 40/Brilliant Blue #1, Hansen sweet potato/annatto, cochineal/annatto, clean label Hansen sweet potato.
Why choose Oterra's natural red food coloring?
Safe
With our Good Manufacturing Practices, you can rest assured our natural food colors meet various requirements and regulations on food coloring. And when it comes to research about health, natural colors win hands down over artificial counterparts.
Superior Quality
No matter your formulation requirement, you can rely on our colors to provide the exact same shade regardless of harvest or production batch. We’ll also help you with color matching to achieve the precise color you’re looking for.
Consistent supply
You don’t need to buy once a year according to the harvest calendar. We produce colors year-round and work hard to ensure they arrive at your door when you need them, both for lab samples, production pilots and production year after year.
Fair prices
We harvest and process pigments from mainly plants, and then carefully formulate them for maximum ease-of-use and shelf life. Color ingredients are a tiny percentage of your cost matrix, so the value of spending more on natural vs. artificial is well worth it.
Unrivaled expertise
We’ll help you develop products with the right shade and sensory qualities that avoid ingredients on your “no” list. And we’ll still be there to assist when you reformulate. There’s a reason we have expertise centers worldwide and the broadest color portfolio in the industry.
Unique innovation
We have a long history of product innovation for the best-performing natural food colors. But there’s more. By solving today’s challenges with solutions for the future, we drive the right kind of change that will ethically lead to innovation we can all be proud of.
Partnership mentality
Your food manufacturing environment is unique. You need a partner who cares about your efficiency and quality as much as you do. And who cares about their own responsible manufacturing and product quality since it becomes part of yours. We do.
Regulatory expertise
Rely on our documentation and certifications to meet your standards and inform your ingredients label development. Our global knowledge of the regulations that can influence your color choice make us your ideal partner whether you produce for home or abroad.
Responsible & sustainable
We were collaborating with farmers for better harvests and worker conditions, as well as cutting use of water and electricity in our factories before anyone required reporting. As a member of the UN global compact with ambitious SBTi-aligned targets, we’re still doing it.
Customizable
We understand that your product development and manufacturing environment is unique, and that's why Oterra offers customizable solutions. We'll help you achieve the shade you need in the right formulation to suit your products’ brand identity.
Organic
If your consumers want organic, look no further than to our range of organic natural food colors, accredited in US and EU. And if they’re looking for kosher, halal, non-GMO, plant-based or even approved for pets, we have that too.
Clean label
We’re with you on a journey together towards natural. How fast you travel depends on your consumers. So if you’re looking for clean label or simply to avoid artificial colors and additives, we’re here to help. Because we believe nature got it.
Explore the opportunities of natural red food coloring with Oterra
Experience the magic of natural red food coloring and join the clean-label movement that is shaping the future of the food industry. Let us guide you in achieving your goal to make enticing and vibrant, red-colored baked goods, confections, beverages, plant-based food, snacks and more.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your development and production of foods using natural red food colors.
1. Birds are attracted to red flowers.
2. Insects prefer blue, white and yellow flowers.
3. Ladybugs may be red due to eating aphids.
4. Finches avoid red birds.
5. 2020 study of 4,598 participants from 30 nations speaking 22 native languages.
6. 2004 study of Olympic athletes in red uniforms
7. There are cultural differences about the meaning of colors
8. Red Idioms
9. Color associations with red food and beverage