Category
Lifestyle
Gentle Diagnostics
Trend cluster
Category
Alt
Red
Startups are launching alternative food coloring in light of FDA's ban of Red Dye No. 3.
6.3
Trend score
What's Happening
What is the Alt Red trend?
Alt Red: The FDA's ban on Red Dye No. 3 is accelerating innovation in natural and fermentation-based food colorants, as manufacturers face a 2027 deadline to reformulate products containing the synthetic dye. As a result, startups with biotechnology and sustainable production methods are capturing market share in this evolving space.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the Alt Red trend
Recent regulatory changes around synthetic food additives reflect growing consumer awareness and demand for clean-label products. While food manufacturers have historically prioritized cost and stability in colorant selection, they are now being forced to consider alternative solutions that align with both regulatory requirements and changing consumer preferences.
Trend themes
Themes within the Alt Red trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Biotechnology-Driven Color Innovation
The shift from synthetic to natural colorants is driven by biotechnology processes like precision fermentation, promising more sustainable and versatile food dye solutions.
02
Consumer Demand For Clean-Label Products
As consumers increasingly reject artificial additives, there's a surge in interest for natural, plant-based food coloring options that align with health-conscious lifestyles.
03
Regulatory Changes In Food Additives
Regulations banning synthetic dyes are accelerating the adoption of eco-friendly and health-oriented colorant technologies, impacting the food manufacturing landscape.
Industry implications
What the Alt Red trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Biotechnology
Biotechnology firms are at the forefront, developing innovative fermentation techniques to produce natural and stable food colorants from microorganisms.
For
Food Manufacturing
The food manufacturing industry faces a transformation as it adapts to new regulations and consumer preferences, requiring novel ingredient solutions like natural colorants.
For
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture practices are being challenged and augmented by alternative methods for producing pigments without traditional crop cultivation.
Workshop question
How could your brand leverage the shift toward natural ingredients to drive innovation?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Alt Red
Trend score 6.3 out of 10, from popularity 81%, activity 74%, freshness 34%.
Popularity81%
Activity74%
Freshness34%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South America
Evidence
Examples of the Alt Red trend
4 featured examples from Jan 22, 2025CategoryLifestyle
Fermented Yeast Colorants
Phytolon Transforms Baker's Yeast Into Natural Food Pigments
The sector is increasingly incorporating naturally-derived colorants to meet consumer demand for clean-label and environmentally conscious products.
CategoryLifestyle
Plant-Based Color Systems
Exberry Crafts Natural Food Pigments From Garden-Fresh Sources
The food and beverage industry stands to benefit significantly from natural color systems as consumers increasingly demand clean-label and eco-friendly product formulations.
CategoryLifestyle
Fungal Protein Pigments
Michroma Engineers Dual-Purpose Colors With Nutritional Benefits
The food ingredients sector is being revolutionized by developments in dual-purpose components, offering both color and nutrition.
CategoryLifestyle
Natural Fermentation Colorants
Chromologics Creates Insect-Free Red Food Dye Through Fungi
