Editior's Note: This article was first published in the October 4, 2010, issue of E-dition, Prepared Foods' e-newsletter, sans the chart, "Stability of Natural Colors," added here.

Colorings have been much in the news of late. Topics range from child hyperactivity studies to interest in carmine, a natural red coloring derived from cochineal insects. Carmine, for example, is generally not able to qualify as kosher but is still experiencing great demand and increased costs.