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

Abstract

The embodied invention is a ready to mix instant formula that is used for application on a food surface for the purpose of decoration. The mixture is a complete ready to mix and pleasant tasting paint mixture which saves the consumer time and effort from having to mix their own decorative art medium to their individual specifications. It also allows the consumer to apply colors on top of each other without color bleed. The formulation includes FDA approved food colors, emulsifiers, 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 mix decorative compound for food surfaces comprising: A) a base application mixture comprising the following items: 1) a white colorant, 2) sugar, 3) sodium chloride, and 4) flavoring, B) a colorant comprising at least one of the following items: 1) approved FD&C food colorants, 2) aluminum lake pigments, 3) mixtures of food colorants, C) an emulsifier comprising a vegetable gum, D) a pH additive comprising citric acid, E) wherein said white colorant comprises: 1) calcium carbonate in an amount from about 21% to about 80% by weight of the decorative compound, and 2) titanium dioxide in an amount from about 0.1% to about 37% by weight of the decorative compound, and F) wherein said base application mixture, said colorant, said emulsifier, and said pH additive are premixed together to create said decorative compound, and G) wherein said decorative compound is free of pearlescent pigments.

2. A decorative mixture for food surfaces comprising: A) from about 9% by weight to about 57% by weight sugar, B) from about 0.1% by weight to about 5.6% by weight flavoring, C) from about 0.2% by weight to about 3.8% by weight salt, D) from about 21% by weight to about 80% by weight calcium carbonate, E) from about 0.1% by weight to about 37% by weight titanium dioxide, F) from about 0.1% by weight to about 50% by weight food dye, G) from about 0.01% by weight to about 0.8% by weight cellulose gum, H) from about 0.01% by weight to about 0.4% by weight, citric acid, and I) wherein said decorative mixture is free of pearlescent pigments.

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) and

(6) 4) pH additive(s).

(7) The base mixture is a combination of sugar, salt (NaCl), vegetable gum, pH additive, white colorant, and vanilla (or other) flavoring.

(8) The colorant mixture is comprised of food grade or combinations of FDA approved FD&C colorants or Aluminum Lake Pigments, dye mixes, mixtures of food colorants including additives exempt from FDA certification, and additives requiring FDA certification which are added to the base mixture. 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 used in food coloring. Generally, dyes dissolve in water but not in 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 and generally dissolve better in oil.

(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 dimethyl disuccinateSalmonid 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 gluconateRipe 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. Phaffia 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 pH additive is 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.

(14) In an 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.

(15) For an instant ready to mix food paint, the mixture amounts are preferably combined together into one dry compound.

(16) In one preferred embodiment, the mixture is combination per table 1 below (gr=gram). The min/max percentages are based on weight.

(17) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Recipe Amounts and Weight Percentages - Dry Mix Unit Mix Min Max Pct Pct Item Range Unit Amt Amt Min Max Sugar - Granulated or Powder (Base) 150-480 gr 150 480 9% 61% Flavoring such as Vanilla (Base) 1-30 gr 1 30 0.1% 6.2% Salt (Base) 0-20 gr 0 20 0.0% 4.2% Calcium Carbonate (Colorant) 300-640 gr 300 640 18% 81% Titanium Dioxide TiO.sub.2 (Colorant) 0-300 gr 0 300 0.0% 40% FD&C or Lake Food Dye (Colorant) 0-506 gr 0 506 0% 53% Cellulose Gum (Emulsifier) 0.25-4 gr 0.25 4 0.01% 0.9% Citric Acid (pH Control) 0.25-2 gr 0.25 2 0.01% 0.4% Total grams 452 1982

(18) 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.

(19) 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.

(20) The overall goal of the dry mixture is to provide an instant ready to mix with water (or other edible liquid), decorative, and apply-able food paint mixture. The dry mixture will provide a vibrant color, lack of bleeding between different color mixtures, along with desirable taste.

(21) The decorative mixture provides latitude for artists to mix their own art medium to their own specifications. For example, the thickness of the applied edible food paint can be varied. This is useful when the artist uses a pallet knife for decorating and creates a thicker mixture. It is also useful in diluting the mixture in water (or other liquid) allowing for a spritzer/airbrush to be used. The decorative mixture is very versatile, allowing 1-99% water/liquid content in the decorative mixture. Because it is a dry instant ready to mix formula, it also allows the artist to use as little or as much as they prefer for their projects.

(22) 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.

(23) The decorating mixture may be applied with tools such as 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.

(24) 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.