When did red food colouring become so yucky?

I'm not sure if this is just a UK thing but the red food colouring you get in Supermarkets has had a really disgusting, tar-like smell and taste for the past few years. I don't remember it being so icky when I was little so I wonder if it's a natural ingredient thing they're trying to fix.

What do you use for your red food colouring? I'd love to make some red velvet treats but don't want them to taste like tar.

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7 replies since 20th June 2015 • Last reply 20th June 2015

Reply #1:

Wilton makes a "no-taste" red, but I don't know if it's any good or if that's just an advertising gimmick.

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Reply #2:

Ohh, thanks. I'll give it a shot and report back!Cooking

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Reply #3:

Just nabbed this pic off my FB from last year.
This was meant to be a red food colouring. The consistency is also like tar as you mentioned.
The brand is Dr OETKER

Medium colour blind colouring
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Reply #4:

Yeah, it's the Dr Oetker one I tried which was so yucky. I ordered some of the Wilton stuff and it arrived this morning... so you'll get my feedback and a red velvet cake recipe super soon! Wink

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Reply #5:

Awesome!!! Looking forward to it! Hope it works

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Reply #6:

Thanks Cooking

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Reply #7:

The Wilton's food colouring arrived and it doesn't smell like icky tar or taste horrible at all. I baked some red velvet donuts and will share the recipe tomorrow. Thanks so much for the suggestion!

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