Natural Alternatives To Artificial Green Coloring For St. Patrick's Day
Spirulina And Avocado Are Natural Food Dyes
03/16/2012 | 05:53 PM
Green will be the dominant color this weekend - artificial green food coloring, artificial green dye in beer and other drinks. The artificial food color is called FD&C Green No. 3 or Fast Green FCF
FD&C No. 3. is used in coloring everything from donuts to drink.
The European Union requires a warning on food and drink containing artificial food coloring but the USA does not. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered additional studies of artificial food dyes in April 2011.
And while experts say consuming it once a year on St. Patrick's Day won't be damaging, there are natural alternatives to green food coloring if you are doing it yourself on St. Patrick's Day 2012.
The first alternative is not really an alternative - don't color your food and drinks period, instead stick to naturally occurring green from plants and vegetables - hello Avocado, Spinach, and Mint - just to name a few.
If you want to use a natural color there is an option, Spirulina: A herbal plant that is normally used as a natural dietary and food supplement. Spirulina is mostly protein and though it usually comes in diet form it also comes in a green powder.
FD&C No. 3. is used in coloring everything from donuts to drink.
The European Union requires a warning on food and drink containing artificial food coloring but the USA does not. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered additional studies of artificial food dyes in April 2011.
And while experts say consuming it once a year on St. Patrick's Day won't be damaging, there are natural alternatives to green food coloring if you are doing it yourself on St. Patrick's Day 2012.
The first alternative is not really an alternative - don't color your food and drinks period, instead stick to naturally occurring green from plants and vegetables - hello Avocado, Spinach, and Mint - just to name a few.
If you want to use a natural color there is an option, Spirulina: A herbal plant that is normally used as a natural dietary and food supplement. Spirulina is mostly protein and though it usually comes in diet form it also comes in a green powder.
