	US 12,408,687 B2
	Pelletized colorants comprising a pigment-protein complex and food products including the same
Andrew E. McPherson, Mount Prospect, IL (US); John Topinka, Evanston, IL (US); and Sara K. Cooper, Charleston, SC (US)
Assigned to Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Apr. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/137,162.
Application 18/137,162 is a continuation of application No. 17/125,628, filed on Dec. 17, 2020, granted, now 11,659,852.
Application 17/125,628 is a continuation of application No. 16/080,413, granted, now 10,905,142, issued on Feb. 2, 2021, previously published as PCT/US2017/016409, filed on Feb. 3, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/301,710, filed on Mar. 1, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0371560 A1, Nov. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. A23L 5/43 (2016.01); A23L 5/40 (2016.01); A23L 5/42 (2016.01); A23L 29/256 (2016.01); A23L 29/281 (2016.01); A23L 29/30 (2016.01); A23P 10/30 (2016.01)

CPC A23L 5/43 (2016.08) [A23L 5/40 (2016.08); A23L 5/42 (2016.08); A23L 29/256 (2016.08); A23L 29/284 (2016.08); A23L 29/30 (2016.08); A23L 29/35 (2016.08); A23P 10/30 (2016.08); A23V 2002/00 (2013.01)]

22 Claims

1. A pelletized food colorant comprising a colorant in particulate form with a coating of a water-soluble binding agent, and the pelletized food colorant having a substantially spherical shape,

wherein the colorant includes a pigment-protein complex,

wherein the colorant is included in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to about 40 wt. % and the water-soluble binding agent is included in an amount of about 60 wt. % to about 99.9 wt. %, wherein the amounts of the colorant and water-soluble binding agent are based on the combined weight of the colorant and water-soluble binding agent, and

wherein the water-soluble binding agent coats the colorant particles and binds the colorant particles together.