Manufacturers are often hard-pressed to find and introduce ready-made alternatives to synthetic food dyes without significant reformulation. As more consumers prioritize healthier food colorings and dyes, titanium dioxide replacement options become more valuable for manufacturers trying to balance new preferences and winning product appearance and flavor profiles.
That’s what makes Innophos’ VersaCal® Bright such an exciting option. It is a cost-effective drop-in TiO2 replacement in food applications with a high-profile history of successful use cases.
The Search for Titanium Dioxide Alternatives
Titanium dioxide, commonly known as TiO2, is an inorganic compound that has been successfully used in a range of consumer products for decades. Commercial TiO2 uses include sunscreen, cosmetics, and as a pigment in paints, oils, and plastics. Its primary benefit is its high refractivity, scattering light and generating a white color. For food and beverage manufacturers, its inherent stability is equally important; titanium dioxide is chemically inert and thermally stable, making it an ideal additive.
Some of the most common uses of TiO2 are in food, where it is a highly prized colorant in confectionery and bakery applications. More recently, consumers have avoided titanium dioxide in food and other applications with direct contact, such as sunscreen. Due to limited viability in the EU following regulatory changes, most global manufacturers are seeking a cost-effective titanium dioxide alternative for food, cosmetics, and other applications.
Calcium Phosphate, A Healthier Whitener
In some cases, moving toward bio-based food coloring options has forced manufacturers to settle for subpar performance. Many new whitening agents have a lower refractive index compared to TiO2, resulting in a duller product appearance, even when using significantly larger quantities of the TiO2 replacement.
Higher costs, limited availability, and negative impacts on flavor and texture further compound the challenge of replacing TiO2 with clean-label alternatives.
Innophos’ VersaCal® Bright overcomes these shortcomings, delivering comparable performance while aligning with regulatory and consumer trends. Formulated primarily from calcium phosphate, the product is FDA-approved for:
- Donut sugar
- White candy melts
- Sugar coating for candy
- Ready-to-eat chicken products
Calcium Phosphate in Food and Other Applications
Calcium phosphate compounds are already a fixture in myriad food and beverage applications. In addition to being a clean food coloring for baking and confectionery uses, it is also found in:
- Dietary supplements, including functional foods and beverages
- Leavening agents, including baking powder and self-rising flour
- Nutrient stabilizer, stabilizing pH levels and as a dough conditioner
VersaCal® Bright’s Headline Start
When Dunkin’ went looking for a safe replacement for titanium dioxide in 2015, it chose VersaCal® Bright to replace TiO2 in its powdered sugar formula. In what was largely an internal decision, the switch ushered in a wave of interest in calcium phosphate and other new food coloring options.
Today, the move appears prescient. While consumer preference for natural colorants in food is less of a priority than taste, price, sugar content, or protein, it is pronounced. Seven out of 10 consumers accept or prefer natural coloring, perceiving those products as “healthy,” “safe,” and “sustainable,” among other superlatives.
Download technical and safety information for VersaCal® Bright.
The Future of Dyes and Coloring for Foods and Beyond
While natural or replacement colorants rarely offer a ready-made, one-to-one replacement of calcium phosphate for titanium dioxide, new alternatives are playing a greater role in long-term formulation plans. Today, costs are higher and formulation more demanding, but innovative alternatives offer value beyond input cost.
Unlocking that value requires a strong relationship with a trusted food color supplier like Tilley, as well as the technical expertise to craft winning products in today’s dynamic regulatory environment.
Your Trusted Food Color Distributor
Tilley Distribution is a proud Innophos partner and leading distributor of VersaCal® Bright. Discover the full benefits of this exciting ingredient in your current or future product offerings through an in-depth discussion with our technical team. From global logistics to product formulation, Tilley Distribution is invested in your success. Schedule a conversation with a Tilley representative today to get started.
