Discover the perfect shade of yellow for your food and drink with this guide to natural yellow coloring solutions. Explore colors made from algal carotene, carrots, safflower, and turmeric for beverages and more.
Yellow is a color that brings energy and brightness to any product. It’s often associated with fresh, vibrant flavors like citrus, tropical fruits, or creamy richness. As a primary color, yellow can be blended with other colors to create a wide range of hues—from refreshing greens and zesty oranges to earthy browns and even fiery reds. In the world of food coloring, yellow food dye 5 and yellow food dye 6 are commonly used, but if you’re seeking more natural options, alternatives derived from plants, like turmeric or carrots, provide an excellent solution.
When selecting a yellow color for your product, it’s important to remember that the right choice often depends on your brand’s unique needs. While visual appeal is a key factor, considerations like color hue, performance, and stability are also crucial in determining how your product will look and function. All of the yellow options we explore here are natural, plant-based, and non-GMO, making them an excellent choice for brands committed to clean label formulations. Whether you’re formulating a beverage, snack, or dairy product, choosing the perfect yellow food coloring can enhance your product’s appeal while ensuring the quality and consistency you need.
Algal carotene: Sustainable and versatile
Our new EXBERRY® Yellow Carotene, sourced from Dunaliella salina, is one of the most natural beta carotene options on the market. Unlike many synthetic versions or those extracted with carbon-based solvents, our algal carotene is extracted using plant-based oils, making it a cleaner and more sustainable alternative. Grown in saltwater, this eco-friendly colorant has minimal environmental impact and offers a high concentration, meaning you need less to achieve vibrant yellow hues—making it both cost-effective and highly sustainable.
Why choose algal carotene?
- Natural and transparent: Unlike other beta carotenes, which may be extracted using organic solvents, our algal carotene uses plant-based oils, ensuring a more transparent, clean-label option.
- Cost-effective: High concentration reduces usage rates.
- Versatile: Available in both liquid and powder, perfect for beverages, gummies, and more.
- Easy-to-use in beverages: No need for additional hydrocolloids to prevent color separation making it a straightforward, efficient choice for ready-to-drink beverages.
Challenges to consider:
- Regulatory labeling: In the EU, it is labeled as E160a(ii), and in the U.S., it’s labeled as beta-carotene (color).
- Oxidative stability: Like all carotenoids, it benefits from small amounts of ascorbic acid to maintain vibrancy.
The takeaway: Algal carotene is a natural, cost-effective yellow color with excellent stability, ideal for a wide range of products. While sustainably sourced and processed, EU brands should consider consumer perceptions of E numbers in relation to clean-label positioning. Still, it remains a versatile, sustainable choice for high-quality formulations.
A bright, sunny limoncello beverage and vibrant, mango lemon popsicles, both naturally colored with EXBERRY® Yellow Carotene, showcase a lively, citrus-inspired yellow hue.
Carrot concentrate: Globally recognized clean-label ingredient
Carrot juice concentrate provides a warm, cloudy yellow hue with a simple, transparent label—listed as vegetable juice (color) or carrot juice (color) in the U.S. and carrot concentrate in the EU. Available in both yellow and orange hues, it’s widely accepted and ideal for a range of food and beverage products.
Why choose carrot concentrate?
- Clean, simple labeling: Transparency appeals to consumers seeking natural, recognizable ingredients.
- Global acceptance: Recognized worldwide, from the U.S. to Europe.
- Flexible formats: Available in both liquid and powder forms, including certified organic options.
Challenges to consider:
- Suspension in beverages: As a fat-soluble pigment, it may require stabilizers to avoid sedimentation or ringing.
- Oxidative stability: Like algal carotene, adding a small amount of ascorbic acid helps preserve color vibrancy.
The takeaway: Carrot concentrate is ideal for natural, clean-label products. While it may require higher dosages and some stabilization, its warm yellow hue works well in a variety of applications.
A pastel yellow coconut yuzu soufflé and vibrant passionfruit layer, both colored with EXBERRY® Shade Celestial Yellow from fruit and vegetable juices like carrot concentrate—this citrusy, floral dessert is as stunning as it is flavorful.
Safflower: Clear, water-soluble yellow
Safflower is one of the few natural yellow pigments that is 100% water-soluble, delivering a transparent, vibrant yellow that’s perfect for beverages and more. With excellent light stability, it doesn’t require ascorbic acid to maintain its color, making it an easy-to-use option for long-lasting vibrancy.
Why choose safflower?
- Water-soluble: Perfect for clear, transparent beverages.
- Excellent light stability: Retains color well over time.
- No need for ascorbic acid: It’s stable without the need for additional antioxidants.
Challenges to consider:
- Regulatory restrictions: Approved in regions like the EU, China, and Mexico, but not yet in the U.S.
The takeaway: Safflower is a great choice for products where clarity and light stability are key, but it’s important to consider its regulatory status, particularly in the U.S.
EXBERRY® Shade Lemon Yellow, made from safflower, delivers a clear, transparent yellow to beverages, while the micronized powder version adds a bright yellow to buttercream frosting, showcasing its versatility in both liquid and fat-based applications.
Turmeric concentrate: A vibrant yet light-sensitive yellow
Turmeric concentrate provides a distinct, cool-toned yellow with a unique hue. It’s globally accepted and offers a simple, clean label. Like other carotenoid pigments, turmeric is a fat-soluble pigment (curcuminoids), which can introduce opacity in beverages but can be made more soluble (and clear) with heat and shear during processing.
Why choose turmeric concentrate?
- Globally accepted: Simple, transparent labeling options in both the U.S. and EU.
- Unique hue: Ideal for cool-toned yellow shades.
- Increased intensity with heat: Pasteurization or homogenization enhances color intensity and clarity.
Challenges to consider:
- Light sensitivity: Turmeric degrades when exposed to light, making it unsuitable for light-exposed packaging.
The takeaway: Turmeric concentrate is an excellent choice for a clean-label, cool-toned yellow. While it’s sensitive to light, it’s a stable option for beverages in opaque packaging, like cans, as well as many food formulations.
This rich, creamy plant-based turmeric horchata, colored with EXBERRY® Shade Bright Yellow, showcases a vibrant golden hue that perfectly captures the essence of turmeric.
Finding the perfect yellow solution
At EXBERRY®, we offer sustainable, plant-based color solutions to help you achieve the ideal yellow hue for your beverages and food products. Whether you’re looking to replace yellow dye 5 or create a vibrant yellow color for a new innovation, our team of experts is here to guide you through the process—from selecting the right color to ensuring regulatory compliance. We provide personalized support, including samples, detailed product guides, color matching, and more.
Contact EXBERRY® today to discover how our natural yellow food colorings can elevate your formulations. Fill out the form on the right to get in touch with our team and explore the best color solutions for your needs. Whether you need assistance with product development or have questions about our range of color options, we’re here to help every step of the way.