You may be interested in using food coloring liquid to get a desired color. Such a product can help you color fondant or icing to make cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. The amount of coloring you use influences the depth of the final color you end up with. You can mix colors together too. Remember the old formulas we learned in school? Yellow + blue + green and red +blue = purple! There are plenty more mixtures you can create to get the exact shade of a color.

You can experiment with the colors to come up with what you like. You can also use color charts found online. Many of them tell you exactly how much of each color you need to get your desired color. Such tips can help, especially when you mix more than two food coloring items together. You don’t have to guess, not when the information is there for you to follow.

A food coloring manufacturer has to follow regulations when they create such products. They have to be safe for someone to consume. It may surprise you to learn how many food and drink products you consume that contain food coloring in them. If you aren’t familiar with them, start looking at labels and you will soon see they are common. They can enhance flavor and give the product a color that appeals to consumers.

This is why food coloring is safe for you to consume. You can add it to your creations and not worry about it. There are some exceptions though. There are people with dye allergies, red food coloring is the most common one. This means they can’t consume food that has that type of coloring added to it. The symptoms they experience can range from mild to severe. Usually, someone with this type of allergy has it their entire life.

As you continue to read, I will share some great information with you so you can feel comfortable using food coloring for your projects. Such information will include:

· What are food-safe products?

· How to read labels

· Dye allergies

· Find quality food coloring products

Food Safe Products

Research shows most people don’t have any problems due to consuming food coloring, it is safe for them. There are a few exceptions and we will cover that in a bit. Where the controversy comes in is most of the time, food coloring is found in food that isn’t considered healthy for you. We all know cake, cookies, and cupcakes aren’t going to provide you with nutritional value.

If you consume such items in moderation, you eat healthy meals, and you get daily exercise, there isn’t anything to worry about. Don’t skip lunch and then eat two cupcakes in the afternoon! Enjoy such sugary snacks occasionally. Most people find if they try to completely eliminate anything with sugar, they can’t stick with it. They go back to old habits. Small changes add up, so assess how much sugar you consume daily and if it is too much, cut back.

Food-safe products mean they have undergone scrutiny and have been approved. Food coloring falls under this umbrella. It is a common ingredient in various types of food and drinks. It makes them visually appealing to the consumer. When food coloring is used as it was intended, it doesn’t pose a food safety hazard.

One of my favorite things to make for my family is a small round cake with food coloring in it. I do one of several colors and then layer them. When you cut into it, you get a rainbow cake. It is a fun way to have dessert in the house everyone loves!

Read Labels and Understand the Ingredients

Food coloring, dyes, and gels are all very similar. They are different versions of adding color to certain products. It is wise to read labels and understand the ingredients. If you aren’t sure what something is, look it up so you can be informed. Some items can be dangerous to those with an allergy.

Look for food coloring products made from natural colors extracted from vegetable sources. They are better for you because they contain less sugar. There are some labeled as organic, and that may be something you are interested in. The bottom line is you can’t lump all food coloring together. They are all food-safe products on the market, but the ingredients in them can be significantly different when you compare products.

Dye allergies

Some individuals have an allergy to food coloring. It may be all coloring because of certain ingredients found in them. For others, it is a specific color of dye. The red color is a common one people are allergic to. Typically, such a food allergy is diagnosed at a young age. Parents often know by the time a child is a few years old that they can’t have anything containing food coloring or certain dyes. Many food items promoted towards children, including juice pouches, contain them.

Some experts believe food coloring and its ingredients can cause hyperactivity in some children. This is still up for debate because there isn’t scientific evidence that sugar can cause children to misbehave or have an abundance of energy. It isn’t proven that it causes them to not pay attention or be impulsive with moments.

Parents are encouraged to pay attention to what their children consume. If any telling signs of a food coloring allergy emerge, discuss it with their doctor. These symptoms include:

· Hives

· Rash

· Shortness of breath

Quality products with the best ingredients

For the best outcome with food coloring, add a few drops or a bit of the color gel at a time. Mix it well with your icing or fondant. Then you can add more color if you need it. Always use quality products with the best ingredients. This eliminates the risk of the colors bleeding or not being how you imagined them.

Read reviews from other consumers to see which food coloring products they use and why. Find out why certain ones left them disappointed. That knowledge helps you shop for food coloring with confidence. You don’t have to worry you will end up with a product that falls short of your expectations.

A little bit goes a long way too! You will see that food coloring is often in small jars or small squeeze bottles. You only need a few drops to help you create the color you want. If you need more, add them a bit at a time. The less food coloring you add to your icing or fondant, the longer the product you purchase will last.

Food coloring doesn’t go bad and it doesn’t have to be refrigerated. Keep it in a cool, dark location. Make sure the lids are on tight so they don’t leak as they can be hard to clean up. They can stain anything they come into contact with. I always store mine in a zip lock bag so that if there is a spill, it gets inside that bag and not on the shelf in my pantry.

Some common ingredients you will find in food coloring products include. The following. It may impress you to discover some of them have healthy properties! They include:

· Anthocyanin – This is a pigment found in plants. It may be violet, blue, or red. They are anti-inflammatory and may reduce the risk of cancer. They can help fight obesity and reduce heart disease.

· Carotenoids – There are over 750 pigments that fall under this umbrella. They are synthesized by plants, algae, and certain forms of bacteria. They are red, orange, and yellow. It is a powerful antioxidant and can help the body get enough oxygen.

· Chlorophyll – This gives green plants their color. It helps them get energy from the sunlight and promotes the process of photosynthesis. Humans consume in it green vegetables. It can help regulate hormones and improve the skin.

· Turmeric – This is a golden color, and it comes from the root of certain plants. It is a natural anti-inflammatory. It is often added to food to add color and flavor.

Food coloring is safe for you as long as you don’t have any allergies to the dyes. Stick with quality products and always read the label if you have any questions. Food coloring suppliers have guidelines they must meet. They have to ensure the product is food-safe and that should offer you peace of mind. Food coloring and color gel offer a fun way to decorate cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.

Food coloring is safe for most people, but if you have any adverse reactions, check with your doctor so testing can be completed. There are some healthy ingredients found in food coloring, and that can put your mind at ease when you use them. Consume them in moderation and live an active, healthy lifestyle. Have fun experimenting and letting your creative side take over! Food gel and food coloring can help you create amazing cakes, cookies, and cupcakes!