D.D. Williamson Launches Certified Organic Annatto Powder

The new product is a portfolio extension to DDW’s certified organic annatto extracts available in liquid form – water soluble, oil soluble, and oil soluble suspension.

11 April 2012 --- D.D. Williamson announces the development of certified organic annatto extract in powdered form. The water soluble food coloring provides a yellow-orange shade in dry mixes. Food companies can label it “organic annatto extract” on U.S. ingredient statements.

The new product is a portfolio extension to DDW’s certified organic annatto extracts available in liquid form – water soluble, oil soluble, and oil soluble suspension. Beginning in June, U.S. certified organic ingredients may be marketed as organic in the European Union thanks to a trade agreement signed in February. (Together the U.S. and E.U. organic markets exceed $50 billion in value, according to USDA.)

“The dry coloring form gives food product developers an addition to their organic ingredient toolkit,” said Jody Renner-Nantz, Applications Scientist. “Organic applications include natural cheese, dairy beverage mix, snacks, seasoning, baking mix and confections,” added Renner-Nantz.

Annatto, a carotenoid, is extracted from the seeds of Bixa orellana trees grown in tropical regions on several continents. Quality Assurance International (QAI), an agent for USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP), has certified D.D. Williamson’s processing facility in Port Washington, Wisconsin.