EXBERRY by GNT to Showcase ‘Graze the Gradient’ Color Experience at IFT FIRST 2026
June 15, 2026 | 3 min to read
DALLAS, NC — GNT will unveil bold new concepts at IFT FIRST 2026 to show how plant-based EXBERRY® colors can shape consumer perceptions and set products apart.
At Booth #1635, the company will debut Graze the Gradient: Chef-Crafted Bites. The colorful snacking experience features four composed snack pairings designed to demonstrate how color can influence expectations, create contrast, and elevate familiar formats.
Each concept brings together a dip and dipper. These combinations explore global flavor inspiration, seasonal ingredients, and unexpected visual contrast across savory and sweet applications.
- Buffalo Blue: Bold, red wing-seasoned potato chips with a whipped, blue-colored cheese dip
- Blood Orange Berbere Caramel: Bright pink shortbread bites served with a blood orange berbere caramel dip
- Allium Bloom: Violet chive blossom-seasoned potato chips alongside a new take on classic French onion dip
- Golden Aji Hummus: Carrot crackers paired with an aji amarillo hummus dip that brings fruit-forward heat and golden color to classic hummus
Together, the concepts demonstrate how EXBERRY® can help developers move beyond replacement-driven reformulation and think more intentionally about the role color plays in the finished product experience.
The booth will also showcase colorful products across bakery, confectionery, and snacks, including gummies colored with EXBERRY® for attendees to sample.
“As brands across the U.S. move away from synthetic dyes, natural color innovation is becoming a key point of differentiation,” said Jeannette O’Brien, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at GNT USA. “It’s not just about meeting expectations anymore. It’s about using color intentionally to shape how products are perceived and ensure they stand out in a crowded market.”
EXBERRY® colors are all made from non-GMO fruits, vegetables, and plants. They can deliver a complete spectrum of shades in most food and drink applications but require careful selection and formulation to ensure optimal results. GNT’s technical experts will be available throughout the event to offer tailored advice on individual project requirements and challenges.
Alice Lee, Technical Marketing Manager at GNT USA, said: “The industry is moving into a new phase now where color is designed earlier in development to ensure it supports not only technical requirements but also bold color innovation. GNT can help brands get the best out of natural colors, delivering results that combine clean labels with powerful visual impact.”
IFT First 2026 takes place from July 12-15, 2026 in Chicago. For more information, visit: https://www.ift.org/ift-first-event
About EXBERRY®
EXBERRY® is a leading global brand of plant-based, sustainable colors for food and drink. The EXBERRY® portfolio includes a complete spectrum of shades created from non-GMO fruit, vegetables, and plants. They are available in a wide range of formats and suitable for almost any application, including confectionery, dairy, bakery, soft and alcoholic beverages, cereals, snacks, sauces, savory, and plant-based meat, seafood, and dairy. EXBERRY® colors are trusted by many of the world’s leading food and beverage manufacturers for their vibrancy, versatility, stability, ease of use, and strong sustainability credentials.
About GNT Group
Founded in 1978, GNT is a family-owned company pioneering in the creation of plant-based, sustainable ingredients. It is headquartered in Mierlo, The Netherlands, with additional offices in Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. GNT’s family ownership provides stability and long-term commitment, enabling it to make strategic decisions to futureproof supplies. These include ambitious sustainability commitments to ensure the quality and availability of raw materials over the long term. Customer service is a key focus. The company provides full support throughout every stage of the product development process, including concept innovation, color selection and matching, stability testing, upscaling, regulatory matters, and quality documentation.