There are many professions that can benefit from food flavors and colors education and training. If you are using artificial food coloring in your kitchen, it's important to know the ins and outs of artificial coloring. If you are developing consumer products, you need to know which artificial food flavors you can use with what products. If you are advising patients on what food flavorings are and are not good for them, you need to know the flavorings backwards and forwards. And, if you are an artificial flavor manufacturer, you need to know the differences between the products you are distributing.

No matter what your profession, if you work with artificial flavors in food, you need to know your stuff. Any consumable product is a serious business and requires some level of expertise. Enlist the following resources when developing your career in food flavors and colors:

1. A degree in Food Science can teach you the appropriate uses and applications for artificial flavoring and artificial coloring.

2. Subscribing to industry publications can help keep you abreast of the latest innovations from food flavors producers and food flavors and colors education and training opportunities.

3. Food technology associations will allow you to learn from others in the industry and keep up with the latest trends.

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Get a degree in Food Science to learn about food flavors and artificial color

A degree in Food Science will allow you to work with consumer products of many kinds. You will learn the scientific side of artificial flavors and colors. You will also be versed in the nutrition and scientific makeup of each food additive.

I recommend: World Wide Learn gives you some information that can help you decide if a degree in Food Science is right for you. The University of Maine outlines its M.S. degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Subscribe to industry publications to get food flavors and colors education and training

Magazines and other publications are an easy, convenient way to develop your knowledge of artificial food flavors and colors. Publications are up to date and can keep you current within the food flavors and colors industry.

I recommend: Prepared Foods is a product development magazine that details product applications, trends, and product innovations. Food Product Design offers a variety of resources to explore artificial flavors and colors.

Join industry associations to gain knowledge about artificial flavor suppliers and food flavorings

Professional organizations allow you to benefit from numerous resources that are sponsored and developed by your peers in the food flavors and colors field. You will not only be able to benefit from the tips suggested by fellow members, but also be able to keep an eye on the innovations in the industry.

I recommend: The Institute of Food Technologists offers numerous resources to its members including industry-wide conferences and publications. And, if you are interested in specific applications, associations such as The American Dairy Science Association may be a better fit for you.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Food flavors and colors education and training can benefit you both on and off the job. You will become a better label reader in the grocery store as well as a better cook in your own kitchen.

What food flavors and colors are commonly used in food products on the market today? Artificial colors are added to most processed foods. Artificial coloring is added to "fun" or colorless foods or to enhance natural colors. Artificial flavors are added to enhance flavors in processed foods such as drinks, cake mixes, candies, salad dressings and more.

While there are thousands of options in colorings and flavors, make sure you pick one that is also cost efficient to your product price. Before you select food flavors producers or food color companies, consider the following questions:

1. How much artificial food coloring and flavors do you need to order or keep on stock for your product?

2. What rules or regulations apply to the artificial flavoring or colors your business needs to use?

3. What popular food colorings or flavors do consumers demand on the market for your food product?

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Find out regulations on artificial food flavors and food colors

The Federal government has regulations on what color additives are approved for use in food products. Be sure you know the rules on what can be used in your product. Also, consumers may avoid certain flavors or dyes, so know what items will not sell well.

I recommend: The Food and Drug Administration has a table of artificial food coloring certifiable for use in food. The International Food Information Council has information on artificial food flavors and colors.

Buy artificial color and food flavors in bulk

A little bit of artificial color or flavor can go a long way, so you might as well buy it in bulk to avoid less frequent orders.

I recommend: Esco Foods sells liquid food color in bulk. Dutch Valley Foods has food flavorings and colors. Into the Oven has powdered food colors to consider.

Test out a variety of artificial flavoring for your product

There are hundreds of substitutes in flavorings for foods now on the market. Ask for samples or order small amounts of a food flavoring before committing to one product to use.

I recommend: Wild Flavors has information on flavor types, flavor formulation and masking flavors. Wild Flavors also does research on future consumer preferences in artificial flavors in food. Stirling Foods has wholesale syrup flavorings, from hazelnut to vanilla to blueberry. Virginia Dare serves major food and beverage manufacturers with specialty flavorings, even allowing analysts to review your product for the best flavor options. Shank's Extracts specializes in vanilla flavorings, but also has syrups, colors and sauces. Gold Coast Ingredients has information to help you choose powder or liquid flavors, artificial or natural.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before selecting artificial flavors, find out if there is a natural flavor that would work that is also cost-efficient.

Flavorings and colorings can alter or enhance food products. The food flavors and colors can be either unnatural or natural, depending on how they are processed. Synthetic food dyes are subject to testing for safety and have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Natural food colors are not required to be tested. Whether you are a health industry professional advising patients on their diets or a food flavor or color manufacturer, you need to know the key terms.

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Color additive

A color additive refers to pigments, dyes or any other substance that can impart color when applied to food, cosmetics, drugs or the human body.

I recommend: View the definition of color additives at Food Additives.

Food dyes, food lakes

Food dyes, or 'lakes' as they are sometimes referred to, are defined as liquids, granules or powders that add color to everything from baked goods to processed foods. There are seven approved dyes by the Food and Drug Administration.

I recommend: Visit International Food Information Council and see the history of food dyes and their use within America.

Artificial flavor

The term artificial flavor refers to any substance that has been added to food to enhance its flavor. Artificial flavores are not directly derived from spice, fruit, herb, bark, bud, leaf, vegetable, meat, fish, eggs or dairy products.

I recommend: Z Chemicals has an interesting article about natural vs. artificial flavors.

Natural flavor

Natural flavors are derived from vegetables, fruits, meats, seafoods, plants or dairy products, and their function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.

I recommend: The United States Department of Agriculture defines natural flavors on its website.

Exempt, exempt from certification

The term 'exempt,' when used in the context of food colors and additives, refers to a food color or dye being exempt from certification. This means the Food and Drug Administration does not need to certify or approve batches produced by the manufacturer. Any pigment, dye or flavoring that is produced from a natural source, such as a fruit or vegetable, will most likely be exempt from certification.

I recommend: Visit Food Safety.gov for a further discussion on how color additives become exempt from certification.

Color-certification report

The color-certification report is the report published by the Food and Drug Administration on a quarterly basis that provides in detail the amount of food coloring produced and how much of it passed inspection based on submitted batches.

I recommend: Visit Food and Drug Administration for discussion pages and to read color-certification reports published by its "Color Certification Branch."

There are many uses for food flavors and colors, and you can use them in a wide variety of edible products. Artificial flavoring can enhance the taste and appeal of a variety of foods. Companies use artificial color to improve the appearance of their products. Also, consider the possibilities of natural food flavor and color options.

The FDA regulates food colors and flavors, so it's important to be aware of how to use them safely in any application. Here are just a few of the many possible food flavors and colors applications and uses:

1. Choose natural food flavors for natural and organic products.

2. Give plain food products a fun color with natural or artificial food coloring.

3. Change the taste of food by using artificial food flavorings.

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Use natural food flavors in natural and organic products

Health conscious consumers prefer natural over artificial flavors. Natural flavors, made from natural food sources, are widely available. Used properly, natural flavors can replace their artificial counterparts in many applications. Be aware that natural colors may not be suitable for high-heat applications.

I recommend: Check out food-additives for a list of the most common natural food flavors. Nature's Flavors offers natural flavoring products, including those for clear beverages, and provides information about choosing the right flavoring for your particular application. Read about the differences between natural and artificial flavors at zchemicals.com.

Make food more fun with natural or artificial food coloring

Color can make food look more appealing to customers. Artificial coloring can also replace color lost by exposure to light or heat. Food color companies sell food coloring in powder and liquid forms of various concentrations. Not all food coloring comes from synthetic dyes; you can also use natural plant-based ingredients to make natural food coloring.

I recommend: Learn more about the safe use of food coloring from the FDA Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition. Find powdered food coloring at Into The Oven. For a natural food coloring option, learn about Colors from Nature by Wild Flavors.

Mask or modify flavor by using artificial food flavors

When used properly, artificial food flavors add to the quality of the taste of your food product. Artificial flavors can change or conceal less pleasant tastes such as vitamins, herbs or soy. One of the most popular added flavors is vanilla, because it tends to blend well with many other flavors and mask less desirable flavors.

I recommend: Get the answers to your questions about food flavors at Gold Coast Ingredients. Discover the different flavor types at Virginia Dare. Learn more about vanilla from the experts at Esco Foods.