Because color greatly influences a consumer’s preference and choice in food products, maintaining precise consistency is vital. Food color directly correlates with the biological, chemical and physical changes food undergoes during growth, maturation, post-harvest and processing. Measuring color in food is one of the fastest and most accurate forms of quality control because it’s simpler and quicker and applies indirectly to other critical product characteristics.
Food color is vital in the food and grocery business because it conveys flavor, quality and freshness — three vital factors customers consider before buying. Because color is a consumer’s primary product evaluation tool pre-purchase, it requires the most attention during processing, from measuring ingredients to production to the final packaging. Processed foods dominate grocery store shelves, and one inconsistency in manufacturing can lead to a detrimental domino effect for an entire brand.
Food processing companies use color measurement devices to evaluate a broad range of fresh and processed food products, including fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, spices and flavorings, sugar, grains and cereals, syrups and more. These devices offer the food processing industry’s most subjective and consistent quality control methods.
Because reflected light determines a material’s color, a food’s appearance can change based on the quality of light, amount of light and observer’s viewing angle, indicating the importance of food placement on grocery store shelves.
The two most common devices for food color measurement are colorimeters and spectrophotometers. Colorimeters quantify color by measuring the three primary color components — red, green and blue — while spectrophotometers measure the actual color within the human visible light wavelength.
The visible light spectrum is the segment of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can view. Typically, the human eye can detect wavelengths from 380 to 700 nanometers.
At HunterLab, we offer the market’s most comprehensive instrument selections that can measure the color of nearly every food type accurately and reliably.
Since 1952, HunterLab has been a world leader in developing innovative, accurate and fast color measurement tools. Our expert team offers superior customer service, technical knowledge and product insight to enhance color consistency and make your job easier.
To obtain more information or request a quote on any of our color measurement products, contact us online today. Please also explore our blog for additional posts about color science and technology.
HunterLab goes beyond color, delivering precise, science-backed solutions that help industries achieve superior quality and appearance control. As a global leader in spectrophotometry, we empower businesses to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enhance product consistency—directly impacting the bottom line. By combining innovation, real-world expertise, and sustainable measurement solutions, we help manufacturers optimize production, minimize material loss, and meet the highest industry standards. Follow us on LinkedIn