KALAMAZOO, Mich.In a recent survey, eight of 10 consumers expressing a preference, preferred carrot extract on their food or beverage ingredient label versus beta-carotene. In response to consumers desire for more transparency in food and beverage labeling, Kalsec® offers carotenes from carrot extract as a natural color source.

Based on many current ingredient labeling standards, consumers cannot distinguish if their food and beverages contain a natural or chemically derived beta-carotene color source. Carrot extract allows food and beverage processors to provide what consumers wanta clearly identified, natural color source" said Carol Locey, natural colors product director.

Other natural carotenes can provide challenges due to their variability, stability, and storage and handling requirements. Fruit and vegetable juices, for example, can create inconsistent color expression in food and beverages as seen on grocery store shelves.

Kalsec is fully integrated from field to fork, controlling all aspects of seed development, growing and manufacturing. This removes crop variability ensuring consistent carrot extract quality. Kalsec carrot extracts are also available with Durabrite® stabilization technology for improved shelf-life stability in a wide range of applications. Kalsec carrot extracts are an excellent replacement for Yellow 5 & 6, mixed carotenoids and synthetic beta-carotene.