They are available in both standard and micronized powder form, and are offered with a choice of carriers, including maltodextrin or sugar.

They are guaranteed to be trehalose-free, ensuring good levels of consumer acceptance, the company believes.

Food and beverage manufacturers can use the new powders to formulate products with high intensity blues from a natural and traceable source – and at reduced doses. They offer superior solubility and stability in a number of applications. In addition, they are said to be particularly suitable for incorporating into instant beverages, hard-panned products, fondant, white chocolate and pressed tablets.

Sonja Scheffler, Product Manager at GNT, said: “The challenge of achieving vibrant blue colors in food using only ingredients from a natural origin is well understood. However, naturalness is what consumers are demanding so there is pressure on manufacturers to deliver that. Our new high intensity blue powders from spirulina will make it significantly easier to do so at lower doses without compromising on important product performance factors such as solubility and stability.”

GNT produces Coloring Foods from spirulina in its dedicated facility in Mierlo, Netherlands. In a recent investment program, the company doubled its spirulina processing capacity.