Colour Measurement in Food Industry

Colour is an important quality attribute of food products which influences consumer’s choice. Food
scientist, food processors and marketers want the food to look appealing and consistent.

Food processors use colour measuring instruments for checking and standardizing ingredient colour so
that they can control colour of their final products, and analyse colour change in processing,
transportation and storage .Also to communicate colour indices to their supply chain.

Products in food industry can be in different shape / size, powder or granule, liquid or paste or solid,
transparent or opaque.

Based on optical characteristics , food products are classified as,

a) Opaque – Ex. Tomato, cheese, flour, rice

b) Translucent – Ex. Fruit juices, jams
c) Transparent – Ex. Soft drink, oil

Opaque and translucent products are measured by reflection principle where as transparent products by
transmission principle.

Measurement Principle :

Two principles are employed in colour measurement viz. colorimetry and spectrophotometry.

Colorimetry quantifies colour by measuring three primary colour components of light which are seen by
the human eye i.e. red, green and blue. In this principle secondary and tertiary colours like yellow,
orange are not individually quantified. Instruments using colorimetry principle are generally called
chromameters or colorimeter. They measure the colour much the same as human eye.
In spectrophotometry the spectral reflectance or transmittance of a product is measured across the full
spectrum of visible light ( 400 nm to 700 nm ) to provide precise and accurate measurement.
Instruments using this principle are called spectrophotometer. They are used in formulation and quality
control of desired colours in prepared food products, in research and development of new products etc.

There are various colour indices and the popular is L*, a*, b* recommended by CIE. Colour
measurement instruments comes with different apertures, illumination. Selection of instruments
depend upon the type of food product and application. Instruments are available in portable, bench top
and inline model, which food processors can choose depending upon the application.

Consistent sample presentation is important for accurate measurement. Manufacturer of colour

measuring instruments provide different accessories like glass cells, petri dishes, sample holders to
assist users to reduce sample preparation time and obtain repeatable measurements.
New generation colour measuring instruments are easy to operate with large colour screen. USB port
that allow users to configure and store different profiles. Colour quality control software are available
to record all measurement data, analyze the results and generate customized reports.

Colour measurement instruments are widely used in virgin coconut oil production, desiccated coconut,
chocolate, milk powder, surmi processing, peanut butter, tomato ketchup, orange juice, soft drinks,
cereals, bakery and meat segments of food industry.