Annatto is a natural orange-yellow pigment derived from the achiote tree seeds (Bixa orellana), native to Latin America. It has been widely used to color cheese and various food products for over a century. The primary coloring compounds in annatto are bixin (oil-soluble, orange-red) and norbixin (water-soluble, yellow-orange). Depending on their application, these carotenoids are extracted in various forms—liquid, emulsions, suspensions, or powders.
Its broad approval by global regulatory agencies and versatility in applications ranging from dairy and snacks to beverages and cosmetics underscore its longstanding role as a food-grade colorant. Increasing scrutiny of synthetic dyes, such as FD&C Yellow No. 5 and No. 6, has further propelled the demand for annatto-based solutions.
Image Credit – Wikipedia
Why Replace Synthetic Colors with Annatto
Health and Regulatory Concerns
Synthetic food dyes such as Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 have faced increasing regulatory and consumer scrutiny due to potential links to hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions, and behavioral effects. As a result, many regulatory agencies now demand clear labeling, and consumer advocacy groups continue to push for natural alternatives.
Functional Advantages of Annatto
Annatto pigments provide a wide range from yellow to reddish-orange, depending on the formulation and concentration. They are:
- Relatively stable under heat and light compared to other natural pigments.
- Effective in both oil-based (bixin) and water-based (norbixin) systems, making them highly versatile.
- Non-reactive across moderate pH ranges, increasing formulation reliability.
- Accepted worldwide, including for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics, demonstrating a high safety profile.
This versatility and historical usage, especially in cheese production, make annatto a preferred natural substitute in many formulations.
Leading Manufacturers of Annatto
1. BioconColors (Peru)
BioconColors, based in Peru, is a leading supplier of annatto. With local production in Lima, it utilizes high-bixin seeds from the region. They offer both water-soluble norbixin and oil-soluble bixin for food applications, such as dairy, snacks, and butter. Being close to the source gives them a cost and quality edge, with fresher and more potent extracts.
Biocon also develops annatto emulsions and custom formulations for global clients. Their exports go through their Netherlands office, reaching Europe and Asia. Committed to sustainability, they support local farmers and likely follow fair trade practices. Their Peruvian annatto is known for its rich pigment and reliable quality.
Technical Overview: Offers emulsified and concentrated annatto formats like Emulsified Annatto Color EC-40 and Norbixin Solution NBX-25. Known for high pigment yield due to the Peruvian achiote seed quality and sustainable local farming practices.
2. Kalsec (USA)
Kalsec is a major North American supplier of annatto, offering it in both liquid and powder forms for use in cheese, snacks, cereals, and meats. They extract and formulate annatto in the US using seeds sourced from Latin America or India, ensuring consistent quality. Known for meat and poultry color systems, Kalsec also stabilizes annatto in oils using rosemary extract.
They help clients replace synthetic Yellow 6 with customized annatto blends (e.g., with turmeric or paprika) for tailored hues. As a B Corp, Kalsec supports sustainable sourcing and cooperatives. Their EU operations ensure compliance with European standards for natural colors.
Technical Overview: Offers oil-soluble bixin emulsions and water-soluble annatto extracts such as Kalsec Annatto OS-60 and WS-30. They also integrate rosemary antioxidants for oxidative stability.
3. DDW/Givaudan (USA)
DDW, now part of Givaudan, is a long-standing leader in annatto for the dairy industry, offering both oil-soluble and water-soluble forms of the ingredient. They operate multiple extraction facilities, including one in Chile, and specialize in consistent, high-volume color supply. Known for ultra-filtration innovations, DDW delivers clean, flavor-neutral annatto solutions.
Their offerings support major cheese and snack brands, featuring blends such as “egg shade” annatto for mayonnaise and egg replacers. With global distribution and multiple sourcing regions, they reduce supply risks. DDW also provides technical support to help manufacturers apply annatto effectively and manage staining challenges in dairy settings.
Technical Overview: Products include standardized oil-soluble bixin (e.g., Annatto OS-B) and alkaline-soluble norbixin (Annatto WS-NB). Known for stability, filtration, and batch-to-batch consistency.
4. Oterra (Denmark)
Oterra (formerly Chr. Hansen) has a long legacy in annatto, particularly in cheese coloring, continuing its roots dating back to the 19th century. They supply both pure and blended annatto formulations for the dairy, bakery, and confectionery industries, with a substantial global reach.
The acquisition of SECNA in 2021 expanded their annatto production in Europe and sourcing from Latin America and Africa.
Oterra offers high-purity, regulation-compliant annatto and innovative formats, such as water-dispersible emulsions, for drinks.
They tailor solutions to regional needs (e.g., specific shades of cheese color) and bundle annatto with other colors for complex applications. As the largest natural color company, they also invest in R&D, exploring biotech routes for future pigment production.
Technical Overview: Key offerings include water-dispersible emulsions, such as Oterra Annatto WS-E100, and blends combining annatto with carotenoids for cheese and beverage applications.
5. Sensient Technologies (USA)
Sensient produces a wide range of annatto products for cheese, snacks, confections, and beverages, with a focus on high concentration and color consistency. With extraction sites across the US, Peru, and Asia, they ensure a reliable global supply.
Sensient customizes hues by blending annatto with beta-carotene or turmeric, and offers encapsulated forms for stability in dry mixes. They serve major snack and beverage brands, including in markets like India.
Their purification processes reduce the impact of annatto’s flavor, mainly leaving pigment. Sensient also supports clean labeling by offering coloring food blends and ensuring regulatory compliance with EFSA standards.
Technical Overview: Known for highly concentrated products like Sensient Natural Annatto NB-WS and B-OS. Also offers encapsulated forms for improved shelf-life in dry applications.
6. Döhler (Germany)
Döhler offers annatto as part of its natural color line, often integrated into complete ingredient systems, such as dairy dessert bases. They provide annatto in various forms—liquids, emulsions, and powders—for use in beverages, ice cream, dry mixes, and more.
Their solutions are tailored for global markets, including the Middle East and Africa, with technical support to ensure color stability and solubility. Döhler also offers E-number-free blends and aligns with EFSA regulations on annatto safety.
They advise clients on how annatto interacts with other ingredients in complex formulations, making them a valued partner for large food and beverage (F&B) brands.
Technical Overview: Produces emulsions and powders such as Döhler Annatto WS-P40 and OS-EM50. Emphasis on solubility and color retention in processed foods.
7. Wild/ADM (Germany/USA)
Wild Flavors, now part of ADM, has long produced natural colors, such as annatto, which is widely used in beverages and dairy products. ADM offers both oil- and water-soluble annatto, often blended with beta-carotene for vibrant orange shades.
With a global supply chain and local extraction plants, ADM serves large clients efficiently and may even source annatto locally to cut costs. Annatto is also used in ADM’s pet nutrition segment for coloring kibble and treats.
Their application labs help resolve issues such as color bleeding or shade inconsistency. ADM’s flavor expertise ensures any off-notes from annatto are well managed, offering manufacturers a complete flavor-color solution.
Technical Overview: Products include ADM Annatto WS-Classic and OS-Natural. ADM also customizes blends for cereals and beverage emulsions to control shade and stability.
8. AVT Natural (India)
AVT Natural is an Indian company known for marigold and spice extracts, and also produces annatto, mainly for export. They likely focus on bixin forms for food and cosmetic use, especially as annatto is traditionally used in products like kumkum. AVT utilizes contract farming to ensure a consistent, high-pigment seed supply, meeting global standards through exports to the US and Europe.
They’re a key player in natural colors, often combining annatto and marigold for stronger blends. AVT serves both the Indian and global snack and processed food sectors, offering affordable, traceable options. As a listed company, they emphasize sustainability, transparency, and invest in green extraction methods.
Technical Overview: Offers bixin-rich annatto, such as AVT Annatto OS-B20, and norbixin-based AVT NBX-WSP. Targets snack, seasoning, and cosmetic applications.
9. Ungerer & Company (USA)
Ungerer was a flavor and fragrance company that offered essential oils and natural colors, such as annatto, primarily for use in dairy and snacks in North America. Acquired by Givaudan in 2020, its annatto line now likely complements Givaudan’s broader color portfolio alongside DDW. Ungerer stood out by offering both seasoning flavors and matching colors, streamlining sourcing for clients.
Their annatto likely originated from Latin American seeds and may have included unique formats, such as annatto-flavor blends or essential oils. Their botanical expertise made annatto a natural fit. Following the acquisition, Givaudan inherits Ungerer’s customers and product strengths, thereby enhancing its appeal to smaller or regional clients.
Technical Overview: Their annatto line included bixin emulsions and integrated flavor-color solutions, now carried forward under Givaudan’s product line.
10. Mane Kancor (India)
Mane Kancor is a leading supplier of paprika and annatto oleoresins, offering stable orange and yellow natural colors using both. Their strength lies in sourcing regions rich in spices and high-tech extraction facilities.
They ensure microbial safety and provide annatto in customized formats (like oil or water-based). With Mane’s flavor expertise, annatto can be integrated into emulsions or oils for easy use in foods and drinks. Kancor maintains consistent pigment quality through batch standardization.
Technical Overview: Offers high-purity annatto extracts like Kancor Colorant Annatto OS-A100 and WS-NB50. Uses chromatography to ensure pigment consistency.
Conclusion
Annatto remains one of the most widely used and accepted natural food colorants, offering a safe and effective alternative to synthetic yellow and orange dyes. Its regulatory acceptance, historical use, and technical adaptability make it a cornerstone in natural formulation strategies.
With ongoing innovation in extraction and blending, annatto is well-positioned to meet both regulatory standards and consumer demand for clean-label ingredients.
R&D teams aiming for clean-label innovation should connect with these leading annatto suppliers—unlock vibrant, stable, and globally compliant color solutions tailored to your product needs.
