Knowledge Popularization | Global Pigment Revolution: The Core Logic of the Rise of Natural Pigments
When you pick up a bottle of tempting colored beverage or a colorful candy in the supermarket, have you ever wondered where the bright colors come from?
In 2026, the global pigment industry is standing at a historic turning point. The US FDA has officially included "phasing out petroleum-based pigments" in its priority action list, while the EU continues to strictly control synthetic pigments. China is also constantly updating standards and tightening the use of some synthetic pigments. At the same time, international food giants such as Nestle, PepsiCo, and Kraft Heinz have collectively committed to fully transitioning to natural colors by 2027[1].
This is not only a policy shift, but also a profound "global pigment revolution".
Why is it "natural"?
From industrial logic to life logic
Looking back at history, the use of natural pigments by humans has a much longer history than synthetic pigments. From dyeing with hematite powder in the Neolithic Age to extracting red pigment from madder by ancient Egyptians, natural pigments have accompanied humans for thousands of years.
In 1856, a British chemist named Perkin unexpectedly invented the first synthetic pigment, "aniline purple," ushering in the industrial era of synthetic pigments[2]. Due to its low cost, strong coloring power, and stable properties, synthetic pigments became the mainstream choice in the food industry in the 20th century.
However, modern toxicology research has raised new concerns about the safety of some synthetic pigments. Petroleum-based pigments have raised health and safety concerns, and research shows that synthetic food coloring is related to ADHD, cancer, and other health issues[3]. From the 1958 Food Additives Amendment in the United States to the updates of China's National Food Safety Standard for the Use of Food Additives (GB 2760), an increasing number of synthetic pigments have been removed from the licensing list or strictly restricted from use.
On this day in 2026, consumers are voting with "choice". About 70% of global consumers explicitly state that they are more willing to pay for products containing plant-based pigments[4]. People are no longer satisfied with the broad concept of "no additives" but are turning to the back of ingredient labels to search for names they can understand, such as "beet red," "turmeric," and "spirulina." Behind this is the ultimate pursuit of "clean labels" and healthy eating by the public.
02. Not limited to food:
The Starry Ocean of Natural Pigments
Although the food industry is the main battlefield of this revolution, the application of natural pigments goes far beyond that. Its tentacles are extending to every aspect of our lives, bringing "green" changes to more industries.
01 Beauty and Personal Care
Under the trend of "pure beauty", Generation Z consumers are carefully examining the ingredient list of lipstick, and plant-based pigments derived from purple sweet potatoes, carrots, and algae have become the preferred alternative. Natural pigments not only provide color, but their inherent antioxidant properties (such as carotenoids and retinal), anti-inflammatory properties, etc., have also become a "functional bonus" for skincare and makeup[5].
02 Pharmaceutical and functional packaging
Modern pharmaceutical research has confirmed that many natural pigments are functional ingredients themselves, exhibiting various biological activities in academic research, providing a scientific basis for the development of functional products[6]:
curcuminAnti inflammatory, antioxidant, potential anti-tumor activity
Anthocyanins: improve vision, cardiovascular protection
Astaxanthin: neuroprotective and anti-aging effects
In drug coating, natural pigments can not only improve visual effects, but also serve as a protective layer for photosensitive drugs. Even in edible packaging films, natural pigments can serve as pH indicators, displaying the freshness of food in real-time and becoming a part of intelligent packaging.
03. Logic has changed
Not only replacement, but also empowerment
The core logic driving this revolution is not only the safety consideration of moving away from petroleum-based pigments but also the unique "empowering value" of natural pigments.
Functional Empowerment: Many natural pigments themselves are nutrients. For example, beta-carotene from carrots is a source of vitamin A; anthocyanins from purple sweet potatoes are powerful antioxidants. Using them is equivalent to adding nutrients to food.
Trust Empowerment: In the era of information transparency, a simple and clear "vegetable juice (coloring)" label is far more likely to win consumers' trust than a confusing string of chemical codes.
Technology Empowerment: Faced with the pain points of poor stability of natural pigments, susceptibility to pH and light exposure, modern biotechnology is breaking through the bottleneck. Whether it is using microencapsulation technology to enhance stability or using high-throughput screening techniques such as Raman flow cytometry to efficiently screen high-yield pigment-producing strains from microorganisms, the intervention of technology has enabled the performance of natural pigments to approach and even rival synthetic pigments in some application scenarios.
04. Standing at the top of the tide:
OsBio's Technological Perspective
In this global pigment revolution, innovation and localized R&D capabilities are the key to making breakthroughs. OsBio (Suzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. has deep insight into this historical opportunity.
We are well aware that the future color competition will be a competition between supply chain sources and application technologies. Therefore, OsBio (Suzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is actively focusing on exploring the industrial application of natural pigments. Based on the industrial and talent advantages of the Yangtze River Delta, we are committed to building a bridge connecting "nature" and "industry".
The vision of OsBio (Suzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is not only to become a supplier of natural pigments, but also to become a "color scheme master" in the green industry chain. We are committed to providing more natural color choices and working with upstream and downstream partners to build a healthier and more sustainable color ecosystem.
Reference link:
[1] https://www.sohu.com/a/916953866_121123706
[2] https://www.dxhx.pku.edu.cn/article/2023/1000-8438/20230546.shtml
[3] https://www.familydoctor.cn/news/rfk-jihua-taotai-hecheng-shiyong-sesu-jieshi-qi-weihai-80680.html
[4] https://foodaily.com/index.php/articles/40951
[5] https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4079/6/3/23/xml
[6] https://www.greenspringnature.com/?new=guide -to-natural-pigments
