Meet William Perkins

By now, I'm sure you're familiar with artificial colors, but do you know how it all started? Coloring food dates back centuries, but synthetic food dyes became widespread in the mid-1800s. In 1856, a young chemist named William Henry Perkin accidentally discovered the first synthetic dye—mauveine—while trying to create a malaria treatment. This breakthrough, made from coal tar and petroleum, ushered in a new era of colorants that led to widespread use, which subsequently caused various health issues and environmental problems. Over time, synthetic dyes became common in industries ranging from textiles to food. Throughout their history, artificial food dyes have gradually raised health concerns, prompting many to reconsider these chemical additives, and now, this has caused many to explore returning back to natural, plant-based alternatives.