food and beverages

Color measurement of food and drinks

Spectrophotometers from HunterLab measure color and turbidity in the food and beverage industry of various products, FDA compliant and versatile depending on the application: in the laboratory, in production, stationary or online/inline. For example:


    Solids, e.g. E.g. spices, meat, baked goods, as well as snack food, beans/nuts, breakfast cereals but also liquids and viscous samples such as sauces, juices, syrups, oils, pudding/yoghurt, sugar, pasta, rice or jam and much more...


Find out in our overview which device is best suited for your application.

It is important to ensure consistent quality, especially in the sensitive food sector. The associated “usual” color appearance therefore plays a major role in the laboratory and production. Trust HunterLab’s decades of experience in the food and beverage industry.

FDA/GMP Safe
Our devices support you in complying with regulations.
Eliminate subjectivity
Measurable, repeatable, trustworthy.
Remote Access Support
HunterLab colorimetry experts: just a click away.

Color measurement of baked goods and snack food

At the forefront of color measurement of rolls, cookies and snack foods is the quantification of color at the level of human visual perception, ensuring that consumer expectations are met.

Color measurement of grain nutrients

Cereals, flour and pasta underline their quality standards to consumers with consistent color. Baking ingredients, grains and raw grains are controlled to ensure consistency across the entire supply chain.

Color measurement of dairy products

Dairy products are extremely diverse: the samples can be opaque liquids, semi-solid products, solid or powdered samples, but the highest quality standards must always be met. Producers meet these requirements with HunterLab color measuring devices and the appropriate accessories.

Color measurement of fruits and vegetables - raw or processed

Fruits and vegetables come in many forms, from their natural, unprocessed state to processed purees and frozen foods. The appropriate technology and instrumentation for color measurement depends on the form of the product to be measured.

Color measurement of sugar and confectionery

Sweets, spreads, chocolate and their raw materials such as sugar and cocoa are checked for their visual appearance using color measuring devices in order to increase trust in the product and brand. HunterLab has the right measuring devices and sample holders for every application.

Color measurement ingredients and convenience products

Condiments, food colors, synthetic/natural antioxidants, mustards, dressings, and sauces can come in solid, liquid, powder, or paste form, so different measurement techniques are required for successful color measurement.

Color measurement of cooking oils and margarine

The color quality of vegetable oils such as olive oil or sunflower oil as well as margarine plays a major role in the classification of products in order to maintain consumer acceptance and trust.

Color measurement of meat, fish and vegetable proteins

Before the product reaches consumers, processors of meat, poultry and fish, as well as their plant-based substitute products, use color measuring devices to monitor processing and ensure the quality and freshness of the product.

Color measurement of drinks

Beverages can be opaque, translucent or transparent and require different instruments and techniques for successful color measurement. Manufacturers can find these at Hunterlab, whose measuring devices are already used by large beverage companies. Feel free to ask us for references!

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Is the fruit still fresh? Does the lemonade seem pale? Why are the snacks darker than usual? Questions like these show the high level of sensitivity that needs to be taken into account when it comes to food products. Color plays a big role in the food industry because it determines whether customers trust a manufacturer or not.

Buyers of raw materials judge color as a quality parameter in the same way as the end consumer. Trust is based on recognition and consistent appearance. HunterLab has been an expert in industrial color measurement for 70 years, ensuring stable readings from raw materials to finished products in food plants around the world, including liquids, solids and non-uniform products such as cereals and snack foods.

Measuring color means: ensuring quality.

Manufacturers and producers can only guarantee high quality standards if all the cookies in a pack are the same golden brown, the lemonade is always freshly orange or the cocoa bean is not too black.

HunterLab meets the special requirements of a food product with an extensive range of different color measurement systems.


Portable handheld devices, colorimetry stations for laboratories and production, online devices and suitable software enable savings through fewer complaints, consistent color stability and thus satisfied customers. For 70 years, HunterLab has been a leader in the manufacture and distribution of measuring instruments for assessing color and its parameters. Convince yourself of the experience, unique service and support.

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