Formula for a food decorating paint for application on the surface of food objects

Abstract

The embodied invention is a mixture that is used for direct application on a food surface for the purpose of decoration. The mixture is a complete ready to apply, desirable tasting paint mixture which saves the consumer time, effort, and messiness, and also allows the consumer to apply colors on top of each other without color bleed. The formulation includes FDA approved food colors, emulsifiers, preservatives, and a pH additive. It also allows the decorator ease in combining colors to custom specifications. The ease of application is designed for all settings of food decoration, both for professional and household use. The formulation is also unique by using a white pigment suspension to provide a full spectrum of ready to use, vibrant colors.

Claims

1. A ready to directly apply to food surfaces decorative mixture comprising: A) a base application mixture comprising: 1) a white colorant, 2) water, 3) sugar, 4) sodium chloride, 5) modified food starch, and 6) flavoring, B) a colorant, C) an emulsifier comprising a vegetable gum, D) a pH additive comprising citric acid, and E) wherein said base application mixture, said colorant, said emulsifier, and said pH additive are premixed together and then added to said water and heated to a boiling temperature, F) wherein said white colorant in said decorative mixture comprises: 1) calcium carbonate in an amount from about 32% to about 53% by weight of the decorative mixture, and 2) titanium dioxide in an amount from about 0.4% to about 20% by weight of the decorative mixture, wherein said decorative mixture is ready to directly apply to said food surfaces.

2. The decorative mixture for food surfaces according to claim 1 wherein said decorative mixture includes a preservative comprising potassium sorbate.

3. An edible, ready to directly apply to a food surface, decorative water based paint mixture comprising: A) from about 14% by weight to about 32% by weight water, B) from about 17% by weight to about 34% by weight sugar, C) from about 0.1% by weight to about 2.1% by weight flavoring, D) from about 0.5% by weight to about 1.6% by weight modified corn starch, E) from about 0.2% by weight to about 1.3% by weight salt, F) from about 32% by weight to about 53% by weight calcium carbonate, G) from about 0.4% by weight to about 20% by weight titanium dioxide, H) from about 0% by weight to about 3.2% by weight FD&C food dye, I) from about 0.02% by weight to about 0.1% by weight cellulose gum, J) from about 0.02% by weight to about 0.2% by weight, citric acid, and K) from about 0% by weight to about 0.2% by weight potassium sorbate.

4. The decorative mixture for food surfaces according to claim 3 wherein claim items 3B through 3K are premixed together and then combined with said water and heated to a boiling temperature.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) The recipe for the invention is a combination of

(2) 1) Base application mixture

(3) 2) Colorant(s)

(4) 3) Emulsifier(s)

(5) 4) Optional Preservative(s), and

(6) 5) pH additive(s).

(7) The base mixture is a combination of water (or vegetable oil), sugar, salt (NaCl), vegetable gum, pH additive, white colorant, vanilla (or other) flavoring, and modified food starch. If water is not used, and a vegetable oil is used instead, two different mixtures resulta water based paint or an oil based paint.

(8) The colorant mixture is comprised of food grade or combinations of FDA approved FD&C colorants, dye mixes, mixtures of food colorants including additives exempt from FDA certification, and additives requiring FDA certification. In particular, it has been found that adding a colorant of TiO.sub.2 and/or calcium carbonate provides a basis to achieve a broad spectrum of vibrant colors. The mixture is designed to allow the TiO.sub.2 to disperse well.

(9) Dyes and lakes are both used in food coloring. Generally, dyes dissolve in water but not oil. They are used in all kinds of food, such as liquid, mixes, and finished products. Dyes can cause problems with ingestion if the amount is too high. Lakes are made from dyes which are chemically combined with a salt. Lakes tint by dispersion and are more stable than dyes.

(10) A list of color additives exempt from certification by the FDA and permanently listed for FOOD use follows. The numbers in brackets ( ) indicate a regulation number under 21CFR. A. Algae meal, driedChicken feed only: 0.3% ethoxyquin in meal150 ppm ethoxyquin in final feed(73.275) B. Annatto extractGMP(73.30) C. AstaxanthinSalmonid fish feed only: 80 mg per kg of finished feed(73.35) D. Astaxanthin dimethyldisuccinateSalmonid fish feed only: 80 mg per kg of finished feed(73.37) E. Beet juice (as vegetable juice)GMP(73.260) F. Beet powder (Dehydrated beets)GMP(73.40) G. Beta-Apo-8-carotenalGeneral use: 15 mg/lb of solid or semisolid food or per pint of liquid food(73.90) H. Beta carotene, natural and syntheticGMP(73.95) I. CanthaxanthinGeneral use: 30 mg/lb of solid or semisolid food or per pint of liquid food; broiler chicken feed: 4.41 mg per kg (4 gm/ton) of complete feed; salmonid fish feed: 80 mg per kg (72 gm/ton) of finished feed(73.75) J. CaramelGMP(73.85) K. CarmineGMP(73.100) L. Carrot oilGMP(73.300) M. Cochineal extractGMP(73.100) N. Corn endosperm oilChicken feed only(73.315) O. Cottonseed flour, toasted partially defatted cookedGMP(73.140) P. Ferrous gluconate Ripe olives onlyGMP(73.160) Q. Ferrous lactateRipe olives onlyGMP(73.165) R. Fruit juiceGMP(73.250) S. Grape color extractNonbeverage food only(73.169) T. Grape skin extract (enocianina)Still and carbonated drinks and ades, beverage bases and alcoholic beverages (in accordance with Parts 4 & 5 of 27 CFR)(73.170) U. Haematococcus algae mealSalmonid fish feed only. Total astaxanthin from all astaxanthin color additive sources listed in part 73, 80 mg per kg of finished feed(73.185) V. Synthetic iron oxideSausage casings for humans: 0.10% by wt. of finished food; cat & dog food: 0.25% by wt of finished food(73.200) W. Lycopene, tomato extract or concentrateGMP(73.585) X. Mica-based pearlescent pigment1.25% by weight in cereals, confections and frostings, gelatin desserts, hard and soft candies (including lozenges), nutritional supplement tablets and gelatin capsules, and chewing gum.(73.350) Y. Paprika & Paprika oleoresinGMP(73.340 & 73.345) Z. Paracoccus pigmentSalmonid fish feed only: 80 mg per kg of finished feed(73.352) AA. Phaffla yeastSalmonid fish feed only. Total astaxanthin from all astaxanthin color additive sources listed in part 73, 80 mg per kg of finished feed(73.355) BB. RiboflavinGMP(73.450) CC. SaffronGMP(73.500) DD. Sodium copper chlorophyllinCitrus-based dry beverage mixes only: 0.2 percent by wt. of the dry mix(73.125) EE. Tagetes (Aztec marigold) meal and extractChicken feed only: ethoxyquin content0.3% by wt. of additive and 150 ppm by wt. of final feed(73.295) FF. Titanium dioxide1.0% by wt. of food(73.575) GG. Turmeric & Turmeric oleoresinGMP(73.600 & 73.615) HH. Ultramarine blueSalt for animal feed only: 0.5% by wt. of salt(73.50 II. Vegetable juiceGMP(73.260)

(11) FD&C Colorants used in Food A. FD&C Blue #1Food, drugs and cosmetics, including drugs and cosmetics for eye areaGMP(74.101, 74.1101, 74.2101, 82.101) B. FD&C Blue #2Food and ingested drugsGMP(74.102, 74.1102); suturessee medical devices(74.3102.) C. FD&C Green #3Food, drugs and cosmeticsGMP(74.203, 74.1203, 74.2203, 82.203) D. FD&C Red #3Food and ingested drugsGMP(74.303, 74.1303). May no longer be used in cosmetics, external drugs, and lakes E. FD&C Red #40 and its Aluminum LakeFood, drugs and cosmetics, including drugs and cosmetics for eye areaGMP. Other lakes for food, drugs and cosmetics are also permanently listed(74.340, 74.1340, 74.2340) F. FD&C Yellow #5Food, drugs and cosmetics, including drugs and cosmetics for eye areaGMP(74.705, 74.1705, 74.2705, 82.705) G. FD&C Yellow #6Food, drugs and cosmeticsGMP(74.706, 74.1706, 74.2706, 82.706)

(12) In one embodiment the emulsifier is a vegetable gum such as Cellulose Gum, Gum Arabic, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum. Additionally, it could Lecithin.

(13) In another embodiment, the FDA approved preservative is Potassium Sorbate. In another embodiment, it is a combination of other known antimicrobial preservatives that include sorbic acid and its salts, benzoic acid and its salts, calcium propionate, sodium nitrite, sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfite, potassium hydrogen sulfite, and disodium EDTA.

(14) In another embodiment, the pH additive is preferably a Citric Acid, but other pH additives could be used that include: Sodium Sulfate, Ascorbic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, and Tartaric Acid.

(15) In another important embodiment, a white base color (such as TiO.sub.2 and/or calcium carbonate) is added to the base to achieve a full spectrum of vibrant colors. The white base is what allows any added color to visually pop or reflect different hues. TiO.sub.2 is one compound that works well in a white base color.

(16) For a water based paint, the mixture amounts are preferably combined together in a dry premix, added to the water, and then the entire mixture is raised to a boiling temperature. Similarly, for oil based paint, the mixture amounts are preferably combined together in a dry premix, added to the vegetable oil, and then the entire mixture is raised to a boiling temperature. This sanitizes the mixture for use as an edible surface paint, and also aids in dissolving the constituent dry mix components evenly. The wet mixture is optionally stirred to facilitate dissolving the dry mix components and dispersing them evenly. When packing the mixture into containers for sales, they are preferably hot packed.

(17) In one preferred embodiment, the mixture is combination per table 1 below (gr=gram, oz=ounces). The min/max percentages are based on weight. Vegetable oil (or cooking oil) is any one of coconut oil, seed oil, nut oil, palm kernel oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, canola oil, soy oil, citrus oil, hemp oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, olive oil, cottonseed oil, and rapeseed oil. A vegetable oil specific gravity of 0.915 is used to calculate weight percentages.

(18) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Recipe Amounts and Weight Percentages Water Based Paint Oil Based Paint Min Max Min Max Item (Amount units) Amount % % Amount % % Water (Base) oz 7-12 14 32 0 0 0 Vegetable oil (Base) oz 0 0 0 6-28 12 50 Sugar-Granulated (Base) 240-350 17 34 240-350 13 36 gr Flavoring such as Vanilla 1-20 0.1 2.1 1-20 0.1 2.2 (Base) gr Corn Starch-Modified 8-15 0.5 1.6 8-15 0.4 1.7 (Base) gr Salt (Base) gr 3-12 0.2 1.3 3-12 0.2 1.4 Calcium Carbonate 460-520 32 53 460-520 25 56 (Colorant) gr Titanium Dioxide TiO.sub.2 5-225 0.4 20 5-225 0.3 21 (Colorant) gr FD&C Food Dye 0-30 0 3.2 0-30 0 3.3 (Colorant) gr Cellulose Gum 0.25-1 0.02 0.1 0.25-1 0.01 0.1 (Emulsifier) gr Citric Acid 0.25-2 0.02 0.2 0.25-2 0.01 0.2 (pH Control) gr Potassium Sorbate 0-2 0 0.2 0-2 0 0.2 (Preservative) gr

(19) The mixture amounts may be scaled to different batch sizes by keeping the relative ratios of the ingredients the same. The weights are converted to percentages as shown in table 1, so as to facilitate mixing to the desired amount in different batch sizes. The ingredient amounts and weight percentages should be understood as rounded to the lowest significant digit.

(20) The oil based paint recipe can be varied to have a thick consistency up to a paste like consistency. This allows textures and patterns to be imparted to the surface of food. This is very desirable for artistic reasons.

(21) TiO.sub.2 is currently allowable at a 1% in a finished recipe per FDA (i.e. approximately 9 grams). If future regulations allow for a higher level of TiO.sub.2, then the recipe coloring is improved by an increase in the amount.

(22) The overall goal of the mixture is to provide a ready-made decorative, and apply-able, food paint mixture. The described mixture will provide a vibrant color, lack of bleeding between different color mixtures, along with desirable taste.

(23) In one embodiment the oil based paint mixture is modified to provide a stiffer paste like medium for decorating and painting, by eliminating the water and replacing it with oil, and the other ingredients remain the same.

(24) Decorative items that are targeted in the conceived invention include food items such as cookies, cakes, confections, chocolates, and pastries. The flavoring type can be modified to match the item being decorated. Vanilla flavoring is one embodiment of the invention.

(25) The decorating mixture may be applied with tools such as a brushes, a rigid applicator, pallet knives, a sprayer, various stamps, sponges, roller type decorating and embossing, a squeeze tube, and other methods such as may be needed to create a desired aesthetic effect.

(26) While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, the invention may be modified and adapted to various operational methods by those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the description and figure shown herein, and includes all such embodiments, changes, and modifications that are encompassed by the scope of the claims.