Edible pearl pigment and luster dust certified for cake decoration, candy and beverages.
Last updated: 2026-10-11
Our Food-Grade Pearl Pigment is a direct equivalent alternative to Sensient Candurin® pearlescent pigments for food, beverage and confectionery — the same pearlescent interference effect, food-compliant and matched lustre grades. A drop-in option for formulators standardised on Candurin®.
Every product series we offer for Food & Beverage.
Edible pearl, pharma-grade and compliance guides for food, beverage and softgel buyers
Yes — our Edible range is formulated to be used on food. E171-Free Edible Glitter (Glitter Gold and Glitter White) and food-grade edible pearl pigment are intended for decorating cakes, cookies, chocolates, desserts and drinks. They are supported by FDA and Kosher certificates in our standard document pack. Please use them only on food as directed; if your target market has specific food-colorant rules, share your region and application and we will confirm suitability before sampling.
With growing regulatory and consumer pressure around titanium dioxide (E171) in food, many bakeries and food brands are switching to E171-free decorative options. Our Edible Glitter range is positioned as E171-free: the shimmer comes from the pigment system itself, not titanium dioxide. If you currently spec an E171-containing luster product, send us your application and we will qualify a like-for-like E171-free alternative with samples in 3 working days.
Application depends on the surface. On iced cakes and buttercream, edible glitter and luster dust are usually dusted dry with a soft brush for a subtle sparkle, or applied with a small amount of clear alcohol or edible spray for a denser metallic finish. For chocolates and hard coatings, dusting before the surface sets gives the best hold. For beverages and sugar work, test a small patch first, as liquid content changes how the shimmer settles. We can advise on your exact process — share your product photo and we will recommend a method and grade.
We supply edible decorative products worldwide with FDA and Kosher documentation, and we export to 100+ countries. Ordering is flexible: standard packaging runs from 5 g retail-ready sachets up to 25 kg bulk, and free samples are dispatched within 3 working days so your QC and legal teams can approve before volume ordering. Tell us your target market and packaging format and we will quote accordingly.
Both are edible decorations but they read differently. Edible glitter gives small, distinct sparkle particles that catch the eye on cakes and cookies; edible pearl pigment (luster dust) gives a smooth, metallic, mirror-like sheen that suits airbrushing, molds and whole-surface finishes. Many confectioners carry both. If you are unsure which fits your product, describe the look you want — subtle shimmer or bold sparkle — and we will recommend the right family, both available in E171-free Gold and White.
Decorative wine and RTD cocktails need shimmer that stays suspended and never clumps at the bottom. Our edible glitter disperses in chilled, low-pH drinks and resists caking thanks to a food-grade anti-caking treatment. Choose TiO₂-Free (E171-free) for brands avoiding titanium dioxide, or standard TiO₂-coated food-grade grades — specify your model. Use it for rim sugar, suspended sparkle, or decorative ice cubes. Dosage is typically 0.01–0.05% by weight — we will confirm the exact rate for your base and ABV.
Seasonal and festival brews (glitter beer, shimmer cider) call for a decorative particle that stays inert, flavor-neutral and haze-free. Our edible glitter is insoluble and physically stable in cold, mildly acidic beer, added on the cold side after filtration. It does not ferment or interact with yeast, so your sensory panel stays clean while the can or glass gains shelf appeal.
Cakes, buttercream and biscuits want an even, mirror-like sheen or a fine sparkle that holds through handling. Edible luster dust brushes on dry for a subtle metallic finish, or binds with a little clear alcohol or edible spray for a denser look; edible glitter catches the light on cookies and fondant. Both survive typical baking and decorating temperatures when applied after the surface sets.
Chocolate, gummies and hard candy need decoration that copes with oil, sugar and moisture without color migration. Our edible glitter and pearl are fat-compatible and stable on coatings; apply before the shell or glaze sets for the best hold. We qualify a grade and dosage for your recipe — share a product photo and we recommend the right family, available in TiO₂-Free Gold and White or standard TiO₂-coated food-grade grades.
Three steps from product list to one quote request.
Click + Add to Inquiry on any product. Your list collects in the floating cart (bottom-right).
Drop quantities, application and target market into the message box — once, for the whole list.
One click opens a short form (name, email, company). Your full product list is attached automatically — no email client needed.
Match your scenario to the recommended EFFECT-PIGMENT series, with the reason behind each choice (particle size, compliance, luster, cost).
| Scenario | Recommended Product / Series | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Bakery decoration (cake, fondant, macaron) | Food Grade Pearl Pigment, 10–60 µm | Edible decorative pearl; stable in buttercream, fondant and chocolate; FDA/Kosher documents available on request. |
| Chocolate & confectionery coating | Food Grade Pearl Pigment (fine), < 30 µm | Disperses in cocoa butter and compound coating without graininess; oil-dispersible grades available. |
| Sugar sprinkles / decorative dust | Food Grade Pearl Pigment, 30–80 µm | Higher visible sparkle on dry sugar; free-flowing, low dusting with anti-caking handling. |
| Beverage / drink glitter (surface sparkle) | Food Grade Pearl Pigment (extra-fine), < 15 µm | Stays suspended briefly on liquid surface; sized for light suspension and clean rinse. |
| Ice cream & frozen dessert | Food Grade Pearl Pigment, < 25 µm | Cold-stable, inert; does not affect freeze/thaw texture at decorative levels. |
| Functional / nutritional tablet coating | Food Grade Pearl Pigment, 10–40 µm | Provides pearl film appearance on coated tablets; low heavy-metal profile on request. |
| Food packaging ink (indirect contact) | Food-grade compliant pigment per local regulation | Selected where indirect food contact applies; confirm local food-contact rules. |
| E171 (TiO₂) replacement in decorative use | Food Grade Pearl Pigment (white / silver-white) | Offers pearlescent white alternative to titanium-dioxide-based matte white in decorative formats. |
Choose the band that fits your process and the effect you want.
| Particle Size Band | Visual Effect | Best-Fit Scenarios | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 15 µm | Satin sheen / fine glow | Beverage surface sparkle, fine chocolate sheen | Subtle; good for liquid and thin coatings. |
| 15–30 µm | Standard pearl | Chocolate, fondant, ice cream | Most versatile food band; smooth mouthfeel. |
| 30–60 µm | Sparkle / twinkle | Cake dust, bakery toppings | Visible flash; confirm texture tolerance. |
| > 60 µm | Chunky glitter | Sugar sprinkles, decorative sugar | Strong effect; use where crunch/sparkle is desired. |
Natural mica, synthetic mica or borosilicate — pick by purity, heat resistance and budget.
| Substrate | Purity | Luster | Heat / Weather Resistance | Compliance / Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Mica (food-grade) | Good | Warm, natural pearlescence | Moderate | Cost-effective workhorse | General bakery, chocolate, sugar decoration. |
| Synthetic Mica (food-grade) | Very high | Bright, clean reflection | High | Premium; lowest trace impurities | High-purity decorative use, sensitive markets. |
| Borosilicate | Highest clarity | Glass-like sparkle | Very high | Premium; exceptional optical depth | Luxury beverage sparkle, high-clarity effects. |
Directional starting points — adjust to your base and process. (Not a fixed formula.)
| Base Type | Directional Loading | Dispersion Tip | Compliance Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttercream / fondant | Low-to-mid decorative loading | Dry-dust or pre-blend into powdered sugar; avoid high-shear that breaks platelets. | Food-grade only; external decoration; confirm local food category. |
| Chocolate / compound coating | Low loading; fine grade required | Pre-disperse in cocoa butter or edible oil before adding to molten mass. | Food-grade; oil-dispersible grade recommended for coatings. |
| Sugar sprinkle / decorative dust | Low-to-mid | Blend with powdered sugar; anti-caking handling for free flow. | Food-grade; keep particles within decorative band. |
| Beverage surface sparkle | Very low loading; extra-fine | Pre-wet in small edible solvent/water before topping liquid. | Food-grade; decorative surface only; not a solubilized ingredient. |
Common questions from buyers about this product. Click to expand answers.
We supply food-grade pearl pigment intended for decorative use on cakes, chocolates and confections. Supporting FDA/Kosher/ISO 9001/GMP documents are available on request. We recommend confirming your local food-regulation category before launch.
Our food-grade white / silver-white pearl pigment is used as a pearlescent decorative alternative to matte TiO₂ in decorative formats. We do not claim identical functional opacity; we supply samples so you can evaluate the visual and regulatory fit in your product.
15–30 µm is the standard decorative band — visible pearl with smooth mouthfeel. Use < 15 µm for a satin sheen and 30–60 µm for sparkle on toppings.
Yes — our food-grade pearl pigment is offered with Kosher documentation. We provide the certificate per grade and shipment; we do not publish certificate numbers publicly.
Yes. Our fine food-grade pearl ( < 30 µm) disperses in cocoa butter and compound coatings. Share your fat system and we’ll recommend oil-dispersible vs. dry-dusting grade.
For any edible / food-contact decoration you must use food-grade pigment. Cosmetic-grade is for external skin use only and is not edible. We never recommend cosmetic grade for food.
We can provide Halal-compliant formulations and supporting statements where applicable. We do not claim a blanket “Halal certified” status for all products; we confirm per grade and market.
For dry dusting, blend into powdered sugar or use a dry brush. For wet systems, pre-disperse in a small amount of edible oil or alcohol-free solvent before adding. Keep loading at typical decorative levels.
Borosilicate gives the cleanest glass-like sparkle and suspension clarity for drinks; synthetic mica is the high-purity alternative for leave-on/ingestible decorative use.
Yes — our < 25 µm food-grade pearl is cold-stable and inert at decorative loadings and does not affect freeze/thaw texture.
We supply FDA/Kosher/ISO 9001/GMP supporting documents, heavy-metal screening and a specification sheet on request, under confidentiality where required.
Yes. Tell us what you make and we map the right effect pigment to your process — a one-stop color solution from design to finished goods.
Yes. Free 5–10g samples ship within 3 working days in foil bags or bottles.
Most products have a 1kg MOQ, with a few from 10g, with packaging from 5–10g samples up to 25kg.
Yes. For qualifying orders we stand behind product quality and committed lead time — if either falls short, we make it right through replacement, rework or refund.
Send a sample and we return a matched formula within 48 hours, supported by 10,000+ standard colors.
Yes. We export to 100+ countries and have served the global market since 2003 (20+ years). We handle international shipping and the documentation needed for cosmetic / food-grade imports where required.
Some pigments span several uses — e.g. pearlescent and glow appear in cosmetics, coatings and DIY — but the right grade and certification differ by application. Tell us your uses and we map the correct grade.