Clean-label colors are one of the keys to differentiation in the increasingly competitive plant-based market, according to GNT Group.
The EXBERRY Coloring Foods supplier has launched new resources on its website to highlight the importance of color in vegan-friendly alternatives, including dairy alternatives such as cheese and yogurt.
GNT has also produced an animated video charting the rise of plant-based food and drink – as well as the evolution of colors – through recent decades.
YouGov research suggests many consumers now reducing or eliminating animal products from their diet, and plant-based alternatives are experiencing phenomenal growth in demand.
As of last year, annual global sales of plant-based meat substitutes had grown by an average of 8% annually since 2010. The plant-based beverage market, meanwhile, grew approximately 33% each year between 2014 and 2019, according to the National Research Council of Canada.
With more options on the shelf than ever before, GNT said plant-based food and drink products need to deliver a fresh and appealing appearance. In this health- and ethics-driven category, Euromonitor International says consumers are motivated to demand clean-label, plant-based ingredients.
EXBERRY offers the widest range of coloring foods on the market, helping to ensure plant-based dairy alternatives deliver the visual impact desired.
In addition, EXBERRY Coloring Foods are made from fruit, vegetables and edible plants and without any chemical solvents, ensuring they are 100% vegan-friendly and support clean and clear labeling.
Maike Frerichs, who leads GNT’s plant-based category team, said, “We are heading toward ‘plant-based 2.0’, with manufacturers reformulating their products to meet modern consumer expectations. As such, using plant-based colors for plant-based products has never been more important. EXBERRY Coloring Foods offer a future-proof solution, helping to deliver an ideal appearance while maintaining clean and clear labels.”