USDA approves five-fold increase in tomato lycopene limit in RTE meat

Ready to eat (RTE) meat products will now be able to use up to five times more tomato lycopene as a colorant following approval from the US department of agriculture (USDA).

Tomato lycopene colourants from Israel-based manufacturer LycoRed will replace FD&C Red #40 and carmine in a range of products like deli meats, sausages and hot dogs.

LycoRed’s Tomat-O-Red is used in food products to increase their red hue and is similar to the effect produced by artificial and insect-based colours.

The market for natural food colour applications for global meat products saw a 21% increase in product launch activity in 2012 over 2011, and a further 5% increase in 2013 from 2012, according to data from Innova Market Insights.

LycoRed colourant business unit manager Roee Nir said: "The USDA decision changes the ball game for us.

"We now may offer RTE meat manufacturers dramatic color options that previously were only attainable with artificial or insect-derived colors."

The LycoRed products can be used for giving colour to RTE beef, pork, poultry products and also RTE meats for the fast-growing kosher and halal markets. The hahal and kosher markets forbid the use of carmine in colouring products.

The colourant is heat and light stable and is based on lycopene, a carotenoid which is highly valued for its antioxidant health benefits.

Tomat-O-Red is claimed to be produced from non-GMO tomatoes. The company oversees its production starting from the farmer’s fields to the finished product.

In addition to Tomat-O-Red, LycoRed will also launch its new, natural tomato-based ingredients for clean-label use soon.

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Image: The USDA has given approval for increased lycopene levels in ready-to-eat meats. Photo: courtesy of LycoRed.