Why Do They Add Color to Farmed Salmon?

Have you ever wondered why farmed salmon is a bright pink color while wild salmon has a natural orange-red hue? The difference comes down to a pigment called astaxanthin Let’s explore why color is added to salmon raised in aquaculture,

The Science Behind Salmon Color

In the wild, salmon get their distinct color from eating krill, shrimp, and other small sea creatures containing carotenoid pigments The most common is astaxanthin, which gives their muscle tissues a reddish-orange tint.

But on fish farms salmon don’t have access to these colorful dietary sources. Without astaxanthin supplements in their feed farmed salmon would be a pale gray rather than appetizing pink.

To match consumer expectations and emulate the nutritional profile of wild salmon, producers add synthetic or algae-derived astaxanthin. Let’s look at the key reasons behind this practice.

Why Astaxanthin is Supplemented in Farmed Salmon Feed

There are two main factors driving the use of astaxanthin additives in farmed salmon:

Appealing to Consumers

• Shoppers expect to see salmon with that iconic pink-orange color. Grayish fillets are perceived as inferior and unappetizing. Adding pigments through feed meets consumer expectations.

Promoting Salmon Health

• Astaxanthin provides essential antioxidants and nutrients for growth and survival. The compound is just as vital for salmon as protein and omega-3s. Feeds fortified with astaxanthin raise healthier fish.

Although originally intended to please consumers, astaxanthin offers true health benefits. But economics, not nutrition, is still the primary motivation.

Does Added Color Impact Nutrition and Safety?

There are no nutritional differences between naturally pink wild salmon and farmed salmon with feed-added astaxanthin. Both provide the same antioxidants, omega-3s, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

The FDA and other authorities confirm supplemented astaxanthin is safe and has no effect on salmon nutrition. Identical to natural forms, synthetic astaxanthin has been approved since the 1970s.

Here are some key facts:

• Synthetic astaxanthin is chemically identical to natural variants.
• Feeds use the same levels salmon would normally consume in the wild.
• Independent studies show astaxanthin benefits salmon immunity and development.

While off-putting at first glance, “color added” labels do not indicate issues with nutritional quality or safety.

Environmental Impacts of Salmon Farming

Though not a health concern, farmed salmon does raise notable environmental issues:

• Fish feed requirements – It takes 4-5 lbs of wild fish to produce 1 lb of farmed salmon. This strains global fisheries.

• Waste and pollution – Pens allow waste, chemicals, and excess food to leach into ocean habitats.

• Escaped fish – Farmed salmon escapes impact genetics of wild stocks and spread disease.

For these reasons, eco-conscious consumers often prefer sustainable wild-caught salmon. But nutritionally, supplemented astaxanthin poses no risks.

Does Added Color Change Flavor or Texture?

Research shows salmon coloration has zero impact on flavor or texture. The pigments are purely aesthetic. Yet many shoppers still believe deeply hued salmon tastes better, influencing prices:

• Wild salmon costs 2-3X more per pound than farmed.

• Light pink farmed fillets retail for $1 less than richly colored ones.

• Fattier belly portions fetch higher prices for their deeper color.

While personal preference plays a minor role, this price difference stems mostly from psychological factors rather than actual eating quality.

Why Some Favor Wild Salmon Over Farmed

Aside from sustainability worries, consumers choose wild salmon over farmed for a few key reasons:

• Natural diets – Wild salmon consume the foods nature intended, affecting nutrient levels.

• Superior flavor – Their natural foods impart a richer, more complex taste.

• Firm texture – Swimming in open waters makes wild salmon flesh firmer.

• Sustainability – Wild fisheries have less environmental impact when well-managed.

But for cost-conscious buyers, supplemented astaxanthin itself is not a deal breaker when choosing farmed salmon.

Should Color Addition Be Disclosed?

In the U.S., farmed salmon producers must by law disclose the use of color additives. Labels must state if astaxanthin was added through feed or other means. This enables informed consumer choices.

However, Canada and some countries don’t mandate this disclosure. Check for “color added” notifications regardless of salmon origin.

The Takeaway

While used for marketing, adding astaxanthin to farmed salmon feed provides real health benefits akin to a wild diet. The pigments themselves don’t affect nutrition, taste, or safety. Yet aquaculture’s sustainability issues still give many consumers pause.

Understanding why color is added removes some uncertainty about farmed salmon. With this insight, you can determine the factors most important to your seafood purchases. When responsibly raised, both wild and farmed salmon can provide healthy and ethical options.