Product Introduction
Monascus Red is a natural red colorant made from red yeast rice. It is produced by fermenting rice with the food-grade fungus Monascus purpureus. During fermentation this red yeast produces vivid red, orange and yellow pigments. They are extracted and refined into a stable colorant for the food industry.
Red rice yeast has been used in Asian cooking for centuries, in fermented tofu, rice wine, vinegar and cured meats. WEHENGFOOD offers modern, standardized Monascus red with consistent color value, a clean red hue and reliable batch-to-batch quality.
Monascus Red vs. Red Yeast Rice Supplements. Buyers often search for “red yeast”, “red rice” and “red yeast rice” and find two different products. Monascus Red is a pigment for coloring food. Red yeast rice dietary supplements are sold for a different purpose, and their composition and regulation differ. This page covers Monascus Red as a food colorant. Please check the rules of your target market before use.
Certificate of Analysis
Items | Properties | Result |
Appearance | Black red, without moldy, no impurity, powder | Pass |
Fragrance | Special and natural fragrance of kojic | Pass |
Moisture (%) | ≤6.0 | 3.22 |
Color Value E1% 1cm (495+10)nm (u/g) | ≥100 | 102.1 |
Arsenic As (mg/kg) | ≤1.0 | Pass |
Lead Pb (mg/kg) | ≤5.0 | Pass |
Citrinin (mg/kg) | ≤0.04 | Pass |
Coliform Bacteria (MPN/g) | ≤3.0 | Pass |
Salmonella | Not allowed | Negative |
Staphylococcus aureus | Not allowed | Negative |
Shigella | Not allowed | Negative |
Key Functions
- Natural red coloring: gives foods a bright red to reddish-brown color from a fermentation source, which suits clean-label and “natural color” positioning.
- Heat stability: holds its color through cooking, pasteurization and retorting better than many plant-based red colorants.
- Wide pH tolerance: stays stable in both mildly acidic and neutral foods.
- Good protein affinity: binds well to meat and soy proteins, so the color stays even and does not bleed easily.
- Cost-effective: a small dosage gives strong coloring, which lowers the cost per kilogram of finished food.
- Traditional ingredient: red rice yeast has a long history in fermented foods, which helps with consumer acceptance.
Applications
| Industry | Typical Uses |
|---|---|
| Meat & Sausage | Ham, sausages, bacon, cured and braised meats, meat analogues |
| Seafood | Surimi, crab sticks, fish products |
| Sauces & Seasonings | Fermented bean curd, chili sauce, hot pot base, BBQ sauce |
| Beverages | Fruit drinks, flavored drinks, rice wine and liquor |
| Bakery & Confectionery | Cakes, fillings, candies, jelly, ice cream |
| Others | Pickles, rice products, plant-based foods |
Why Choose WEHENGFOOD as Your Monascus Red Supplier in China
WEHENGFOOD is a professional China supplier, factory and exporter of Monascus red and other natural food ingredients. We supply bulk quantities worldwide with the following:
- Controlled Monascus purpureus yeast strain and standardized fermentation
- Color value and specification can be customized to your application
- Full documents available: COA, MSDS, specification sheet
- Samples available for testing
- Export packaging and fast shipment
Factory
Package
Exhibitions
FAQ
Q1: What is Monascus Red?
Monascus Red is a natural red colorant extracted from rice fermented with Monascus purpureus yeast. It is used mainly in meat products, sauces, beverages and bakery foods.
Q2: Is Monascus Red the same as red yeast rice?
They share the same origin. Red yeast rice is the fermented rice itself, and Monascus Red is the pigment taken from it and standardized as a food colorant. Red yeast rice supplements are a separate product category.
Q3: What is the difference between “red yeast” and “Monascus purpureus”?
“Red yeast” is the common name for the Monascus fungus. Monascus purpureus is one of the main species used in food fermentation and pigment production.
Q4: Is Monascus Red stable under heat and acid?
Yes. It performs well in cooking and processing and stays stable across a wide pH range, which makes it suitable for meat, sauces and drinks.
Q5: What dosage should I use?
Dosage depends on the product and the target shade, and it is limited by local food regulations. Contact us for application guidance and a sample.
Q6: Are you a Monascus Red supplier in China?
Yes. WEHENGFOOD is a China supplier, factory and exporter of Monascus Red, serving food manufacturers and distributors worldwide. Submit an inquiry through this page to request a quotation and samples.
