Why Canned Meat Needs Colour Support?
Canned meat goes through a tough process – high heat, pressure and long storage. All of this can cause the natural colour of the meat to fade, lose vibrancy or look uneven. Even if the taste is great, a dull colour can make the product feel less fresh to the customer.
That’s where synthetic food grade colours step in. They keep canned meats looking rich, appetising and consistent from batch to batch. Whether it’s canned beef, pork, chicken, sausages, pâtés or ready-to-eat meals, the right colour helps products stand out on the shelf and maintain their appeal throughout shelf life.
Synthetic colours are stable under heat, reliable during storage and cost-effective compared to natural alternatives. They don’t change the flavour or texture — they simply make sure your canned meat products look as good as they taste.
Where Synthetic Colours Are Used in Canned Meat?
Canned meat products often lose their natural colour during processing and storage. Synthetic food grade colours are added to bring back a fresh, appetising look and keep it consistent across every batch. Some common applications include:
- Canned beef and pork – keeping a deep, meaty red or brown shade.
- Canned chicken – giving a natural cooked look with light brown tones.
- Canned sausages and meatloaf – ensuring slices stay uniform in colour.
- Meat spreads and pâtés – providing smooth, even colour that lasts through shelf life.
- Ready-to-eat canned meals – holding appeal even after long storage.
- Seafood-based canned products – enhancing or stabilising the natural colour of tuna, sardines and other seafood items.
Using the right synthetic colour, canned meat products not only look better but also keep the same trusted quality every time a can is opened.
Supported Synthetic Food Colors in Raw Meat Products
Bright Shades, Pure Flavor
Water Soluble Colors for Raw Meat Products
Allura Red
Allura Red AC is a red food dye. It gives a bright red to orangish red colour in raw meat products and is commonly used in beverages confectionery and bakery items.
Pure dye content (corrected sample): minimum 85%
Water-insoluble matter: maximum 0.20%
Amaranth
Amaranth is a water soluble dye for fresh meat products, giving a reddish brown shade that blends well and adds depth without overpowering.
Pure dye content (corrected sample): minimum 87%
Water-insoluble matter: maximum 0.20%
Brown HT
Brown HT, also called Chocolate Brown HT, is a dye for raw meat products, giving a rich dark brown shade similar to cocoa or caramel.
Pure dye content (corrected sample): minimum 70%
Water-insoluble matter: maximum 0.20%
Carmoisine
Carmoisine is a water soluble red dye for unprocessed meat products, giving a bright red to maroon shade that blends well and adds vibrant colour.
Pure dye content (corrected sample): minimum 87%
Water-insoluble matter: maximum 0.20%
Black PN
Black PN is a black food dye. It gives a dark black colour in uncooked meat products and is commonly used in confectionery beverages and bakery items.
Pure dye content (corrected sample): minimum 80%
Water-insoluble matter: maximum 0.20%
Green S
Green S is a water soluble green dye for fresh style raw meat products, giving a bright bluish green shade that blends well and adds vibrant colour.
Pure dye content (corrected sample): minimum 80%
Water-insoluble matter: maximum 0.20%
Tartrazine
Carmoisine is a water soluble red dye for natural meat products, giving a bright red to maroon shade that blends well and adds vibrant colour.
Pure dye content (corrected sample): minimum 80%
Water-insoluble matter: maximum 0.20%
Quinoline Yellow WS
Quinoline Yellow WS is a water soluble yellow dye for whole meat products, giving a bright greenish yellow shade that blends well and adds vibrant colour.
Pure dye content (corrected sample): minimum 70%
Water-insoluble matter: maximum 0.20%
Ponceau 4R
Ponceau 4R is a water soluble red dye for fresh style meat products, giving a bright red shade that blends well and adds vibrant colour.
Pure dye content (corrected sample): minimum 85%
Water-insoluble matter: maximum 0.20%
Sunset Yellow
Sunset Yellow is a water-soluble dye for raw meat products, giving a bright yellow to orange shade that blends evenly and keeps colour consistent.
Pure dye content (corrected sample): minimum 87%
Water-insoluble matter: maximum 0.20%
Lake Colors for Raw Meat Products
Carmoisine Lake
Carmoisine Lake is a water-insoluble dye for cooked meat products, giving a red to maroon shade with strong colour and smooth performance.
Allura Red Lake
Allura Red Lake is an insoluble red dye for plain meat products, giving a bright red to orangish red shade that blends well and adds vibrant colour.
Amaranth Lake
Amaranth Lake is an insoluble red dye for fresh meat products, giving a reddish brown shade that blends well and adds depth without overpowering.
Black PN Lake
Black PN Lake is an insoluble black dye for natural meat products, giving a deep black shade that blends well and adds rich colour.
Tartrazine Lake
Tartrazine Lake is a water-insoluble dye for raw meat products, giving a yellow to orange shade that works well in oil-based or dry applications.
Brown HT Lake
Brown HT Lake is an insoluble brown dye for whole meat products, giving a rich dark brown shade that blends well and adds depth without overpowering.
Sunset Yellow Lake
Sunset Yellow Lake is an insoluble yellow dye for fresh style meat products, giving a bright orange yellow shade that blends well and adds vibrant colour.
Green - S Lake
Green S Lake is an insoluble green dye for plain meat products, giving a bright bluish green shade that blends well and adds vibrant colour.
Ponceau 4R Lake
Ponceau 4R Lake is an insoluble red dye for natural meat products, giving a bright red shade that blends well and adds vibrant colour.
Quinoline Yellow WS Lake
Quinoline Yellow WS Lake is an insoluble yellow dye for raw meat products, giving a bright greenish yellow shade that blends well and adds vibrant colour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. All our colours comply with FDA, EU, and FSSAI standards. Every batch is tested and supplied with COA and supporting documents.
Yes. Synthetic colours are designed to handle high heat, pressure and storage. They remain stable through sterilisation and stay consistent for months.
No. They only add colour. The taste, aroma and texture of the meat remain unchanged.
Reds like Allura Red, Carmoisine, Amaranth for beef and pork. Browns like Chocolate Brown HT for roasted or grilled tones. Orange-red blends for spiced or seasoned meats.
Yes. We offer trial packs (50gms pack) so you can check stability, dosage and shades before bulk purchasing.
The MOQ is 100 kg per shade, but smaller packs are available for R&D and product trials.
Yes. We can supply both Halal and Kosher certified colours with full traceability and documents.
Yes. If you need a specific shade or tone for your canned meat product, we can create a customised blend.
Yes. They work well in tuna, sardines and seafood-based products, helping enhance or stabilise natural shades.
Absolutely. Our technical team can recommend the best shades, guide you on dosage, and even provide trial samples.
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Need Help Choosing the Right Ingredients?
Talk to our team to find high-quality, industry-specific color solutions tailored to your requirements.