How We Solved the Natural Color Fading Issue in a Popular Clean-Label Energy Drink
Industry: Natural Beverages | Energy Drinks | Functional RTD Beverages
Focus: Natural Color Stability | Shelf-Life Improvement | Packaging Compatibility
The Background Of Natural Energy Drink Case Study
Natural energy drinks are becoming everyone’s go-to choice, especially the ones made with real ingredients like beetroot, hibiscus, and berries. People love them because they feel healthier, look vibrant, and come with clean labels—no chemicals, no fake stuff. Let’s get into the natural energy drink case study.
But making a product look great, stay stable, and remain natural is a real challenge.
One energy drink maker approached us with a common but serious problem:
Our drink looks amazing when it’s fresh… but after 2–3 weeks on the shelf, the color fades. It turns brown and dull. Customers are complaining. What’s wrong?
They were using real beetroot and hibiscus extract—a brilliant combo that gives a rich, red color naturally. But despite a good recipe, the color wasn’t surviving retail lighting.
This was more than just a cosmetic issue. It was hurting brand trust, sales, and retailer feedback.
The Problem: Color Fading in PET Bottles
Now this our turn to help them out with scientific and strategic solutions. The clock starts here. We immediately started looking at what might be going wrong. Let’s look into the challenges first:
What we found:
- Within 10–14 days, the drink’s vibrant red color turned into a faded, dull brown under regular retail lights.
- The drink was packed in clear PET bottles, which are common and cost-effective, but they don’t protect the drink from UV light.
- The drink had no synthetic preservatives or stabilizers, which made it more sensitive to oxygen, heat, and light.
Do you know that this issue wasn’t just limited to this one drink? Many brands using natural colors face the same problem. It’s especially true with ingredients like:
- Beetroot
- Hibiscus
- Carrot juice
- Anthocyanin-rich fruits (like berries)
These natural pigments are beautiful but delicate. This needs to be taken care of for the perfect execution. So here’s a clearly defined problem- natural energy drink case study.
Step-by-Step Diagnosis
Now the problem required strategic solutions. We started with our R&D team professionals about what we can do best to address this issue. We began with a full stability test and packaging study. Here’s what we did:
1. Light Sensitivity Testing
We placed samples under bright LED and fluorescent lights, similar to those used in retail coolers and shelves.
- Result: Severe fading by day 10 in transparent PET.
- The drink started turning dull, even though it was still safe to consume.
2. Packaging Impact Study
We tested the same drink in different bottles. Yes, packaging can make a big difference, and this is so important to test and choose the best packaging for your product’s safety. Here’s what we find:
- Clear PET → 100% UV exposure
- Amber PET → Blocks up to 90% of UV rays.
- UV-block coated PET → Blocked even more.
3. Formulation Check
With our R&D team, we take a step and check the formulation ideation and complete process, and ingredients check as well. We reviewed the full recipe:
- pH was around 3.9–4.1 – not ideal for natural color stability.
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) was used, but in low quantity.
- No extra antioxidants or color protectants were added.
Our Three-Part Strategic Solutions
The goal was to protect the natural color, keep the label clean, and maintain visual quality on the shelf for at least 3–6 months.
Here’s how we solved it:
1. Color-Stable Natural Blend
We created a more stable blend using:
- Beetroot + hibiscus + carrot
- Natural polyphenol stabilizers (plant-based antioxidants)
- Cold processing to avoid heat degradation
This blend maintained its red color far better than the original.
We didn’t use any synthetic colors—only food-grade, plant-based sources. But by changing the ratios and adding natural protection layers, the pigments lasted longer.
2. UV-Protection Packaging
Packaging was the biggest breakthrough.
We switched to UV-protect PET bottles:
- Amber or light-blocking PET helped reduce UV damage.
- Sleeve wraps (full or partial) also acted like sunscreen for the drink.
With this change, even under strong shelf lights, the drink retained 85–90% of its original color for up to 60 days.
This was a big win and required no synthetic barrier or high-cost glass packaging.
3. Natural Preservation and pH Balance
To support the color and freshness, we also optimized:
- Ascorbic acid levels: Worked as both an antioxidant and a mild preservative.
- pH: Adjusted to ~3.5–3.6 using food-safe acids like citric acid.
What Changed (Before vs After)
| Parameter | Before | After Implementation |
|---|---|---|
|
Color on Day 30 |
Faded to dull brown |
Bright red-pink, 90% intact |
|
Consumer Complaints
|
Frequent returns due to a faded look
|
Almost none
|
|
Shelf Appeal
|
Weak by week 3
|
Strong even at 2 months
|
|
Retailer Trust
|
Low |
High confidence in repeat orders
|
|
Label Claim
|
Natural but unstable
|
100% natural and visually strong
|
|
Shelf Life (Visual)
|
30–45 days
|
90–180 days
|
Why This Case Matters
Many new beverage brands dream of launching clean-label drinks, but natural ingredients need care.
This case proves:
- You don’t need synthetic colors to make drinks look great.
- Smart formulation + right packaging = long-lasting visual appeal.
- Investing in stability from Day 1 saves money, reputation, and market presence.
Most importantly, consumers buy with their eyes. If the drink looks dull, they won’t pick it, no matter how healthy it is.
1. Packaging matters as much as formulation.
2. Natural doesn’t mean unstable—if done right.
3. Shelf testing is a must.
4. Customers judge quality by appearance.
A faded drink is often assumed to be old or spoiled, even when it’s safe.
What the Client Said
We thought we’d have to compromise between natural and visual appeal. But your work helped us keep both. Our drink now looks just as good as it tastes, even after weeks on the shelf.