Heavy weight! The United States has completely banned this "synthetic red pigment". Faced with a market of over 2000 products, precision fermentation should be introduced!

Red No. 3 dye has always been a concern due to its potential health risks.

As early as 1990, the FDA banned its use in cosmetics and topical medications. The ban is based on a joint petition from multiple public interest science centers and public health organizations in 2022, citing research indicating that high concentrations of Red No. 3 dye pose safety hazards to male rats.

In addition, California banned the use of this pigment in food and beverages in October 2023, and the FDA's decision is also in line with California's footsteps.

Although the ban has been issued, companies have a transition period of 2-3 years to adjust their formulas and production processes. 

Food, beverage, and dietary supplement manufacturers are required to complete the adjustment before January 15, 2027, while pharmaceutical companies are required to complete it before January 18, 2028.

This means that companies need to invest a lot of resources in developing new formulas and finding alternatives to meet FDA requirements. This is undoubtedly a huge market impact for brands that rely on Red No. 3 dye.

With the gradual elimination of synthetic pigments, the replacement of natural red pigments has become a hot topic in the industry. 

At present, natural red pigments mainly come from three sources: plant extracts (such as beet red, cochineal red, and red yeast red), color rich foods (such as strawberry powder and dragon fruit powder), and precision fermentation technology.

These alternative solutions each have their own advantages, but they also have challenges, such as controversies over the source of cochineal and supply chain issues. Enterprises need to ensure the safety and stability of substitutes while meeting consumers' demand for natural products.

The core of precision fermentation technology lies in its efficiency and sustainability. Compared with traditional plant extraction, precision fermentation can produce natural pigments on a large scale in a controlled environment, without being limited by natural conditions.

In addition, optimizing microbial strains through genetic engineering can further improve the yield and quality of pigments. 

For example, startups such as Chromology from Denmark, Phytolon from Israel, and Michroma from the United States have made significant progress in this field, developing natural red pigments that are not only brightly colored but also have good stability.

The natural red pigment produced by precision fermentation has broad application prospects in various fields such as food, beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

These fields have extremely high requirements for the safety, stability, and color of pigments, and pigments produced by precision fermentation technology can well meet these needs.

For example, in the beverage industry, precision fermented red pigments can be used to replace traditional synthetic pigments, providing consumers with healthier and more natural choices. In the cosmetics field, these pigments can be used for coloring lipstick, powder blusher and other products to meet consumers' pursuit of natural ingredients.