A Texas candy company switched to natural dyes — but it wasn't easy
'The important thing to remember with all colors, whether natural or synthetic, is that they are nothing more than marketing tools for food companies, to make foods look a certain way,' said Thomas Galligan, a toxicologist who works for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group. 'At the end of the day, they aren't strictly necessary. And so it's important to weigh the risk against the benefit.'
Eric Atkinson says he never thought synthetic dyes were unsafe. But when he read the ingredient lists for his company's candies, which his family has been making since the Great Depression, they always struck him as out of place.
About 12 years ago, the company finally decided to make the leap. 'We were so close to being all natural or all simple ingredients that we just went ahead and went there,' he said.
He knew how critical it was to get the color right for the Chick-O-Stick, the company's most recognizable product. All the packaging for the candy mimics the color of the product, which Atkinson describes as 'amber.'
'They say in the industry that taste is king, but color is queen,' he said. 'The queen is very important.'
Working with food scientists for dye manufacturers, the company's quality control team started testing mixtures of natural dyes to replicate the Chick-O-Stick's signature hue. After years of testing, they came up with a combination of dyes derived from turmeric and vegetable juice — first trying beets before settling on radishes. But they later discovered that the color faded under LED light. This year, they switched again to annatto, a popular natural colorant made from the seeds of the achiote tree.
Another surprise was the funky smell that came from some of the natural colors. Atkinson recalls one particularly pungent dye made from red cabbages that smelled like rotting garbage, though the odor quickly dissipated when the candy reached the cooking step, where it's heated to over 300 degrees.
That wasn't the end of the challenges. Unlike synthetic dyes, which are easily produced in U.S. labs, the ingredients that form natural dyes are frequently imported. That introduces a host of complexities, including logistics, costs and product safety issues.
In March 2021, a container ship got stuck in the Suez Canal, making headlines worldwide. It also created a new headache for Atkinson: The ship was carrying the radishes used to create the Chick-O-Stick color at the time, sending the company scrambling for alternatives.
Even without such obstacles, it can be tough to find enough raw materials for natural dyes. It takes a considerable amount of seasonally grown produce — whether it's radishes, red cabbages, blueberries or golden beets — to make dyes from fruits and vegetables. Carmine, a vibrant red colorant, is made from cactus-dwelling insects in Central and South America; 70,000 of those insects are required to create just over 2 pounds of dye.
Sourcing challenges often mean higher prices: One major dye manufacturer recently estimated that natural dyes cost about 10 times as much as the synthetic versions.
And then it can be a matter of convincing consumers. Though the color and appearance of the Chick-O-Stick had remained the same, not everyone was happy about the new formulation of a classic candy.
'We had a lot of pushback when we went to the natural colors,' said Atkinson. 'Most of the feedback that we got was, 'Quit changing our Chick-O-Stick.''
Still, sales stayed steady, Atkinson said.
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San Francisco Chronicle
19 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘Hidden gem': S.F. mineral society marks 90 years of breaking rocks at unmarked clubhouse
Rocks have not changed in 90 years, and neither have the type of people who would join the San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society, which started in 1935 for the hobby of rock cutting and polishing and standing around talking about rocks they've collected, no doubt holding hidden gems within. On Sunday, the members gathered in their clubhouse, which has no sign in front and the windows boarded up, with gravel on the surface for the effect. Some brought rocks to crack open, and some came to look at the spectacular and rare finds in the display cases. 'You open this inconspicuous green door, and suddenly you are standing before one of the premier private collections of mineral specimens in the city,' said David Zandman, the club's corresponding secretary, who noted that only the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park has a larger collection of gems, rocks and minerals. 'This is truly a hidden gem in the sunset,' he said, hazarding a pun. 'Most people don't know we are here.' The people who do know were gathered in the meeting on folding chairs, listening intently as Roy Leggitt was lecturing on gem faceting techniques. Anyone familiar with the British show 'Detectorists' would be familiar with the seriousness with which they approach their hobby. 'We still have a sense of fun,' said Tony DeLeon, past president. The 90th anniversary celebration runs the first three weekends of August and was launched by a dance party in the clubhouse with the display cases and the library of thousands of books and minerals right there among the dancers. On Friday, the clubhouse will feature karaoke. The clubhouse is open to the public this weekend and next, and as an enticement, a spinning grinder was set up on the Judan Street sidewalk, with a member shaping and polishing stone. 'It's an old world approach,' DeLeon said. 'That's how it has been done since the early 1500s.' The club is not that old, but it does go back to the Great Depression, when 16 college professors and hobbyists met on the rainy night of Jan. 4, 1935, in the home of E.W. Shanks on Spruce Street in Presidio Heights. The Northern California Mineral Society was the original name to reflect the founders' general interest in the scientific aspects of minerals. The society soon outgrew Shanks' home and rotated its meetings to public libraries and middle schools, before the club, renamed the San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society, was able to purchase a furniture store four blocks from Ocean Beach. The building cost $22,000, with members pooling it together. 'In the heyday of rock counting, in the 1940s and 1950s, we had 700 members,' said Bob Kozak, vice president and program director. 'There was no Internet, so people had time on their hands.' An example is a grandfather clock made out of jade that members took five years to make. It still works and stands near the door, though it is only used for special occasions to protect the gear structure. The club has 350 members, paying annual dues of $30. 'We are trying to work our way back to 700,' Kozak said. 'It's combining science, research and artistic expression. We like going and looking for things. It requires detective work.' Twice a year, the club organizes field trips to locations that members are not inclined to reveal. Sometimes it is public land that allows exploration, and sometimes it is private property on a riverbed or dormant mines. Their findings are brought to the clubhouse, where there is a full workshop for cutting open the rocks to reveal the minerals within. These are then made into jewelry and ornamental items. Around his neck, Kozak wears a polished jade pendant that started as a rough piece of rock found in British Columbia. Twenty hours of cutting, grinding and polishing later, it was a piece of jewelry. 'The satisfaction is that you learn from the instructors at the club how to do things, and then you transform it,' he said. On Sunday, there were four lectures, with Leggitt's talk on gem faceting giving way to a discussion of quartz, the most common mineral on Earth. A dozen members and guests sat before lecturer Debbie Fang. Meanwhile, in the back room, Christopher DeWinter was working the power grinder to polish stones as a hands-on demonstration, and instructor Jean Ng was metalsmithing, like a blacksmith with iron. In technology and entertainment, it was a long way from Outside Lands, the concert just a few blocks north. You could call what they were doing Inside Lands. Five new members signed up, paying their $30 initiation fee plus the $30 annual membership fee. 'There is so much joy to share, in cultivating the creativity of high level jewelry making,' said Kirk Kwiatkowski, club president and a professional faceter of gemstones. 'We all try to bring out the best in each other in our art and expertise.' Eli Wennberg-Smith, 26, and Hannah Majewski, 25, were walking home from a friend's home when they came upon the open house. Intrigued, they walked in and just kept walking, through two doors, until they were in the back room wearing safety goggles and learning how to work the grinder on a chunk of jasper. 'Everyone was so friendly that we just got sucked in, in the best possible way,' said Majewski, a special ed teacher in San Francisco. 'Growing up I always collected rocks, but I never knew it was possible to do this without buying thousands of dollars worth of equipment.' The equipment is here with a low daily fee. Three years' worth of rocks she's picked up are in her apartment closet and weighing down her backpack. 'I want to break them open and see if there is something cool inside,' said Majewski, who walked out with a membership application. 'I'm pretty busy as a teacher, but it would be a stress relief.' DeLeon found his way to the club when he was a senior at Lincoln High School in 1977. A friend had a box of rocks his grandfather had left him, and they came down to knock on the door and see if there was value in them, which they planned to convert to cash for a hot rod. There was no value, hence no hot rod. But he ended up taking a course in gems and minerals at San Francisco State, which meant a field trip to the club. By then it was fate. He became a chemist identifying minerals in water pipes, and ultimately president of the club. He already has his retirement plan set. 'I want to be a lapidary instructor here, teaching the cutting and shaping of rocks,' he said. 'It is volunteerism that makes this operation work.' Before the pandemic, the club held an annual show each August at the County Fair Building in the park, with 60 exhibits and 40 vendors. The annual August show in the park has not come back, but there is hope and momentum building through the weekend open houses at the clubhouse. 'We're practicing for the 100th,' DeLeon said. 'Wait till you see what we do then.'
Time Business News
2 days ago
- Time Business News
Rice University Houston: A Prestigious Hub of Academic Innovation
Nestled in the heart of Texas, Rice University Houston stands as a beacon of intellectual vigor and cultural richness. Often counted among the most prestigious universities in Texas, it captivates prospective students, scholars, and alumni alike. From its storied founding to its research breakthroughs, vibrant campus life, this article explores what makes Rice so distinctive. History & Founding of Rice University Rice University, officially William Marsh Rice University, was chartered in 1891 via a posthumous bequest from entrepreneur William Marsh Rice, with its doors opening formally on September 23, 1912. The first cohort of students now affectionately known as the '59 Immortals' began their studies that day, under the leadership of founding president Edgar Odell Lovett. Rice originally admitted students tuition-free, reflecting its founder's vision for a 'competitive institution of the highest grade.' Expansion continued steadily by 1957, the iconic residential college system had emerged, and today the university spans a verdant 300-acre urban campus near Houston's Museum District. Academic Programs & Rankings Rice's academic breadth is captured in its eight schools, including Engineering, Business, Natural Sciences, Architecture, Humanities, Social Sciences, Music, and Continuing Studies. It offers about 40 undergraduate, 51 master's, and 29 doctoral programs Rooted in its R1 research stature, Rice achieves national recognition for both engineering and natural sciences. While its Shepherd School of Music and Architecture program enjoy distinct reputations. The student–faculty ratio remains impressively low, fostering personalized instruction a quality Rice consistently leverages for competitive academic rankings. Campus & Student Life Located adjacent to Houston's vibrant Museum District, Rice's campus combines lush landscapes with architectural charm. Its 11 residential colleges create tight-knit communities, each with its own traditions and social events. Standout traditions include: Beer Bike and O-Week , hallmark orientation rituals. and , hallmark orientation rituals. Residential colleges like Sid Richardson College, known for 'Radio Free Sid,' 'Floor Wars,' and quirky signature parties. Students can choose from over 300 clubs and organizations, ranging from performing arts to entrepreneurship. And compete athletically as the Owls in NCAA Division I baseball in particular has soared, highlighted by the 2003 College World Series win. The Rice Purity Test The Rice Purity Test is a 100-question, self-graded quiz originally devised at Rice University to measure 'purity' or life experience across topics like relationships, substances, and behaviors. Higher scores indicate fewer experiences (greater 'innocence'), while lower scores suggest a more adventurous past. Historical Origins The test traces back to 1924, starting as a brief 10-question survey administered exclusively to female students via the campus newspaper, The Thresher. One prompt questioned, Have you ever done anything you wouldn't tell your mother? Average scores were published alongside tongue-in-cheek commentary like 'Rice Girls Not Quite Half Bad'. During the 1970s, male students began participating, and by 1988. The survey had expanded to roughly 100 questions, reflecting evolving student values and behaviors. How It Works During O-Week, purity sheets were sometimes worn as name tags, enabling students to display and compare 'scores' and bond through shared experience. With the rise of the internet, the test went digital and proliferated across campuses worldwide. Cultural Impact & Criticism Though often embraced as a lighthearted rite of passage, the test carries a complex legacy. Critics highlight how it historically, and reduced human complexity to a numerical value. For example, questions like 'Have you ever been arrested? unfairly stigmatized students of color making them appear 'less pure' due to systemic injustice. Voices from Rice's student body warn of peer pressure and emotional pitfalls: As such, while the Rice Purity Test remains a cultural touchstone. Many now advocate for responsible, inclusive reflection, or choosing alternative. Student-designed versions that encourage well-being and introspection without perpetuating stigma. Also Read: Does it snow in Kansas? Why Rice University Stands Out Personalized Excellence Small class sizes, engaged faculty, and early research opportunities define the Rice learning experience. Innovation-Driven Research From nanoscale science to public policy (via the Baker Institute), Rice is a powerhouse of interdisciplinary discovery. Vibrant Campus Culture From residential college life to student traditions, Rice creates deep connections that last well beyond graduation. Heritage & Inclusivity Though founded under exclusionary stipulations, Rice's evolution into a diverse, open, and inclusive institution reflects its aspiration to embody a truly global university. Engaged Alumni & Achievements Fields from science to entrepreneurship boast notable alumni—including astronauts, Nobel laureates. And industry leaders—offset by a solid endowment infrastructure fueling student opportunity. Conclusion Rice University Houston is more than an academic institution—it's a dynamic ecosystem where scholarship, innovation, and tradition converge. Its storied history, rigorous academics, and tight-knit culture make it a standout among prestigious universities in Texas. Even quirky campus artifacts like the Rice Purity Test mirror the complex social textures of Rice life—anchored in tradition yet evolving with awareness. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Boston Globe
The FDA is targeting orange juice. Here's why, and what the science says.
Orange juice contains nutrients including calcium and Vitamin C. But some nutritionists argue that's not enough to make up for the unnecessary calories and natural sugars. 'Juices are a dilemma,' said Peter Lurie, the executive director of the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest, which advocates for a healthy and safe food supply. Get Winter Soup Club A six-week series featuring soup recipes and cozy vibes, plus side dishes and toppings, to get us all through the winter. Enter Email Sign Up The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends instead eating real fruit, which contains more fiber than juice. The association advises against giving fruit juice to infants except to manage constipation. It also advises limiting how much juice parents should give older children, such as no more than 4 ounces per day for kids 1 to 3 years old. Advertisement 'If you're going to have a small amount of juice, it's not going to be anything that anybody's going to worry about,' said Marion Nestle, a retired professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University who called fruit juices 'delicious.' 'When you worry about juice is when it's in large amounts,' she added. Advertisement Even though leading orange juice brands do not contain added sugars, high levels of natural sugars can still be harmful, some experts said. 'Orange juice is sugar water,' said Barry Popkin, a professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina. 'Every juice is essentially sugar water.' Once touted as part of a balanced breakfast, Americans are souring on orange juice. Consumers have gravitated toward other beverage options seen as healthier. Prices have risen. Production has stalled. And this has become a problem for Florida's orange producers. The sugar content of the fruit grown in the state has been steadily dropping due to a bacterial disease afflicting the crop, exacerbated after Hurricane Irma struck in 2017. In 2022, Florida trade groups representing the state's citrus growers and citrus juice industry petitioned the FDA to lower the minimum fruit sugar levels for pasteurized orange juice. The FDA sets a minimum standard for the sugar content in order to call a drink 'pasteurized orange juice,' the kind commonly sold at grocery stores without added sugars. If manufacturers fall below that threshold, they are essentially no longer allowed to call their products 'pasteurized orange juice." Florida orange industry groups said lowering that threshold would protect their business and reduce orange imports from other countries while going unnoticed by consumers. Sugar per serving would lower from 18 grams to 17 grams, according to nutritional label samples provided to the FDA by the industry. Other nutrients would be largely unaffected to the change. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary both pledged to examine this proposal during congressional hearings when pressed by Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Florida). Advertisement Some nutrition experts said if Kennedy wanted to advance his 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda, which included pledges to improve the diets of children, he should champion more sweeping regulations broadly targeting sugars and sodium. 'If one is serious about sugar in the American diet, we need an across the board approach,' Lurie said.
