Food & Beverage Asia February/March 2024

MARKET INSIGHTS
IMPACT ON FOOD REGULATIONS
IN APAC
California's stance on Red 3 is poised to
influence regulatory bodies in the APAC
region, compelling them to reevaluate
their policies and assessments of food
additives. The spotlight is now on
conducting exhaustive safety assessments
before approving new additives or
colourants, as well as re-examining
existing provisions for artificial dyes to
ensure the protection of public health.
Companies exporting their products to the
US and those operating within the country,
particularly in California, face the formidable
task of reformulating their products to
align with the Red 3 ban. This endeavour
necessitates a quest for safer and more
natural alternatives for food colouring.
It is worth noting that Australia and New
Zealand have already banned Red 3 in
most foods, except for cocktail cherries
and icings, while some other South East
Asian countries continue to permit its use
with restrictive limits. Prior to this ban,
the UK, EU, and GCC countries had also
mandated warning labels on food and
drink packages containing artificial dyes
such as sunset yellow, carmoisine, allura
red and tartrazine. The scrutiny of artificial
dyes, which has been ongoing for three
decades, is now amplified by the California
ban, and may motivate regulatory bodies
in South East Asian nations to reassess
safety of food additives, ingredients
and on-pack labelling requirements.
CONSUMER RESPONSE
The ban on Red 3 in California has
triggered extensive media discussions,
raising awareness among consumers about
the safety concerns related to artificial
colours. This heightened awareness is
likely to prompt consumers to become
more discerning in their food choices.
Recent APAC consumer market surveys
reveal an increased scrutiny of ingredients
lists on food and beverages, according to
FMCG Gurus. 1 In Thailand, Malaysia, and
Vietnam, seven out of 10 consumers have
become more attentive to the ingredient
listings on the products they purchase,
and eight out of 10 express a desire to
see “additive-free” and “100% natural”
claims on product packaging. This
shift indicates that consumers are
more inclined to opt for products
with clear and transparent
labelling, avoiding those
containing additives perceived
as potentially harmful. The
APAC region is witnessing a
transformation in consumer
preferences, with a growing
emphasis on natural
ingredients, aligning with
the spirit of this latest ban.
ALTERNATIVES TO RED 3
While Red 3 poses challenges
due to its instability in low
pH and sensitivity to light, there
are viable alternatives, notably
derived from natural sources.
Carmine emerges as a promising substitute
for Red 3 in food, offering a similar shade
and heat stability while boasting improved
light stability. It is often used across a wide
range of products and maintains a red hue at
neutral pH, making it ideal for baked goods.
Another option is beet juice concentrate,
which provide a bluish pink colour, harnessing
the vibrant pigment found in red beets
called betacyanins. They are well-suited for
powdered beverages, panned confections,
ice cream, and other frozen desserts, but
may be less suitable for heat-processed
foods or those with high water activity.
Anthocyanins, naturally occurring colouring
compounds found in red and purple fruits
and vegetables, offer vibrant red and pink
shades for acidic, low pH foods like hard
candies and gummies. Root vegetablederived
anthocyanins, such as those from
red and purple sweet potatoes, provide
bake-stable bluish pink and pink shades
in slightly acidic pH environments.
"We are ready to assist our customers in
their transition away from Red 3. With
our extensive portfolio of natural options
available in both liquid and powder
forms, and our expertise in navigating the
complexities of international regulations,
we can guide our customers toward
compliant colour solutions suitable for the
US market," said Ng Pey Nie, regulatory
affairs specialist for Oterra in APAC.
California's ban on Red 3 marks a
significant milestone in the ongoing global
movement towards safer, transparent, and
consumer-focused food regulations. This is
not an isolated move, as similar discussions
are underway at both the federal level,
through the US FDA, and at state levels
in New York and New Jersey. A potential
nationwide ban on Red 3 and titanium
dioxide by the FDA would undoubtedly
reaffirm the nation's dedication to ensuring
safety and transparency in food regulations.
Such decisive steps may serve as
an influential precedent, potentially
inspiring regulators in the APAC region
to follow California's lead. As consumers
across the APAC region grow more
discerning, the industry is compelled
to offer safer alternatives, steering the
course towards cleaner and natural
ingredients in food and beverages. FBA
REFERENCES
1
FMCG Gurus Consumer Trends Report in
Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia 2022
FOOD & BEVERAGE ASIA • FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024 13