Starbucks Corporation (SBUX), Sensient Technologies Corporation (SXT): Consumers Still Seeing Red Over Food Coloring

If there continues to be adverse public reaction to carmine, the industry may have to resort to other methods. Hansen is developing a fermentation process from the genome of the cochineal insect so there won’t be any need to crush the bugs themselves to get the color, but it will be at least three years before it can be commercialized.

Hansen may also run into that same level of consumer disgust with its recently approved natural blue coloring. Until now, food companies only had FD&C Blue No. 1 to choose from, but the FDA gave Hansen the, um, green light to proceed with development of spirulina extract, a color derived from bacteria, though I’m sure we won’t see it being labeled as such on the candy and gum packaging for which it’s been approved.

As much as people say they want all-natural ingredients, the creation of carmine, spirulina, and other organic sources is like making sausages: You really don’t want to watch it being made and you’d rather remain ignorant of the process. Manufacturers, however, will be left scratching their heads over how to meet the twin goals of staying natural while not grossing out consumers by using lice and bacteria to develop the food colors they want.

The article Consumers Still Seeing Red Over Food Coloring originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Rich Duprey.

Fool contributor Rich Duprey has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends PepsiCo and Starbucks. The Motley Fool owns shares of PepsiCo and Starbucks.

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