Article: How long will I be blue? The success of many products depends on coloring additives. Keeping products "looking like new" remains a formulation challenge. Industry insiders weigh in with opinions and advice.(ingredient challenges)(Editorial)

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A food's appearance may well be its, most important characteristic. After all, a product s taste or nutritional benefits will be of little value, if a consumer does not want to even taste the product.

Colorings may be added for functional reasons--to help protect nutrients, for example. However, they primarily are used to improve a product's attractiveness and to communicate certain product characteristics to consumers. For instance, through its use of Yellow 5 Lake and Blue 1 Lake colors, Kraft Foods' Nabisco Oreo Cool Mint Double Stuf cookies signal to customers that they definitely have a cool mint flavor. CandyRific's Lite-Up Cool Pops ...

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