Why colour matters in premium pet food
Premium pet brands increasingly position products around natural, recognisable ingredients. Synthetic dyes are being phased out across many markets in favour of plant- and algae-derived colour systems. Phycocyanin, the blue pigment from spirulina, offers a clean-label option for treats and functional formats where visual appeal supports shelf presence and owner trust.
Formulation considerations
Phycocyanin is heat- and pH-sensitive, so it is best suited to lower-temperature processes such as coatings, toppers, soft treats and wet formats rather than high-temperature extrusion. Grade consistency and documented purity ratio matter for predictable colour outcomes batch to batch.
The clean-label angle
For owners reading labels, an algae-derived colour input aligns with the natural positioning of premium kibble and treats. Used as part of a documented formulation, phycocyanin supports both appearance and the broader clean-label story.
Forward-looking note: SPIRUVA is in a pre-launch phase, with commercial production scheduled for July 2027. Market figures reflect published industry trends and are directional, not guarantees.
◦ Premium Download
Get the typeset PDF report.
Branded, beautifully formatted, sharable with your procurement, R&D, and formulation teams.
About the Author
Spiruva Research Team
Industry Intelligence Desk
Spiruva's editorial team includes co-founders and industry researchers covering the global phycocyanin and spirulina markets. We publish data-driven articles that help B2B buyers make better procurement decisions.