Calico Food Ingredients

What Calico Food Ingredients does

Calico Food Ingredients is a Kingston, Ontario-based B2B specialty food ingredient distributor and formulator, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivify Specialty Ingredients (formerly Aakash Chemicals & Dyestuffs, which acquired Calico in November 2017). Founded in the 1990s, the company sources and distributes natural colors, synthetic FD&C dyes and lakes, flavors (sweet and savory), vanilla and tea extracts, vitamin and mineral premixes, yeast extracts, and sugar and salt enhancers, primarily representing global manufacturing partners such as California Natural Color, Divi's Nutraceutical, Lycored, Biorigin, Brookside, SciTech Ingredients, Döhler, The Wright Group, and Glucorp rather than producing ingredients in-house.

The company's core technical capability is an on-site formulation and color-matching lab that has produced over 1,000 custom blends in powder, liquid, and oil-dispersion formats, addressing clean-label, free-from, natural, and synthetic ingredient requirements for food and beverage manufacturers. Calico holds AA-grade BRC Global Standard for Food Safety certification (November 2020) under GFSI/GMP/HACCP frameworks, qualifying it for major retail, nutraceutical, and infant-formula customers. It serves ten distinct verticals — bakery, beverage, cannabis, confectionary, dairy, meat and poultry, nutraceuticals, pet foods, plant-based, and specialty — with the cannabis and sugar-reduction segments representing its more recent vertical pushes.

Calico's business model is a quote-based, B2B distribution and custom-formulation service, with revenue generated through one-time ingredient sales facilitated by an online sample-request portal (with account registration and internal approval) and direct technical sales engagement. Distribution occurs through direct sales to enterprise food manufacturers, a Canadian mid-market distribution network, and the parent Vivify global channel reaching 50+ countries. The company pursues a technical sales-led go-to-market, with brand and demand generation supported by trade shows (BCFT, CIFST Quebec, CIFST Ontario), LinkedIn, and email newsletters. Leadership includes Bobby Gruber as VP of Food Ingredients at Calico, operating under Devlin Riley, CEO of parent Vivify.

Name

Calico Food Ingredients

Legal name

Calico Food Ingredients Ltd.

Website

https://calico.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Calico Food Ingredients is a Kingston, Ontario-based B2B specialty food ingredient distributor and formulator, serving food and beverage manufacturers across ten verticals with natural and synthetic colors, flavors, vitamins, and functional ingredients sourced from global partners under Vivify Specialty Ingredients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Food Ingredients

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311), Spice and Extract Manufacturing (311942), Seasoning and Dressing Manufacturing (31194)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Application-Specific Color Solutions (Beverage, Dairy, Confectionery, Bakery, Savory, Pet Food) (AFAJAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Color Blends & Formulation Systems (Standardized Blends, Shade Matching) (AFAJAEAF), Ingredient Blends & Systems / Custom Formulation (Seasoning Systems, Functional Blends) (CRADAOAO)

Keywords

• Food color ingredients
• Specialty food ingredients
• Natural colorants
• Flavor ingredients
• Vitamin premixes

Headquarters

HQ city

Kingston

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Specialty Ingredient Distribution: Calico formulates, sources, and supplies specialty ingredients critical to the appearance, taste, nutritional value and stability of end products. The company offers natural and FD&C colors, flavors, vitamins and coatings sourced from a network of specialized global partners.
2. Sample Sales: Customers can request samples of products through an online catalog or special samples request form. Samples are subject to internal approval process.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Calico Food Ingredients formulates, sources, and supplies specialty food ingredients including natural colors, synthetic colors (FD&C dyes and lakes), flavors, vitamins, and coatings for food and beverage manufacturers. The company operates an on-site lab for color matching and provides custom blending services, with over 1,000 custom formulations completed to date. Calico serves applications across bakery, beverage, cannabis, confectionery, dairy, meat & poultry, nutraceuticals, pet food, plant-based, and specialty industries.

Product overview

Calico is a food ingredients supplier offering specialty ingredients critical to the appearance, taste, nutritional value and stability of end products. The company operates as a distributor and technical expert representing global partners rather than manufacturing ingredients in-house. The product portfolio consists of seven core product lines: Natural Colours (sourced from fruits, vegetables, algae, and other natural sources), Synthetic Colours (FD&C dyes and lakes), Flavors (Sweet and Savory), Vanilla and Tea Extracts, Vitamin and Mineral Premixes, Yeast Extracts, and Sugar and Salt Enhancers. These products are sold primarily to food and beverage manufacturers across industries including bakery, beverage, cannabis, confectionary, dairy, meat & poultry, nutraceuticals, pet foods, plant-based, and specialty applications. Calico provides formulation support, color matching expertise, and custom blending services, with over 1,000 custom formulations completed.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Natural Colours A complete line of Natural Colours including anthocyanins, beetroot, beta carotene, caramel, carmine, carotenoids, chlorophyll, curcumin, lycopene, paprika, spirulina, titanium dioxide, and blends, sourced from natural sources such as algae, turmeric, red beet, cochineal insect, green leaf, tomatoes, and yeast extract. Designed for food and beverage manufacturers seeking natural ingredient solutions.
• Synthetic Colours (FD&C Dyes and Lakes) FD&C dyes and lakes providing vibrant, lasting color to food grade applications. Includes FD&C Blue 1, Blue 2, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Amaranth, available in both dye and lake forms (high dye and low dye variants).
• Flavors (Sweet and Savory) Natural, organic, non-GMO sweet and savory flavors offered in partnership with Brookside. Includes vegan meaty/fatty flavor keys, baker's yeast extracts that reduce salt and replace MSG, and modulator technology for sweet and savory applications.
• Vanilla and Tea Extracts Vanilla extracts, tea extracts, and distillates offered in partnership with Döhler. Includes pure vanilla extract, tea extracts, coffee and chocolate products, and a wide range of botanicals and specialty products.
• Vitamin and Mineral Premixes Custom nutritional blends and premixes offered in partnership with The Wright Group. Used in breakfast cereals, functional foods, dairy and non-dairy-based meal replacement beverages, nutrition bars, sports nutrition products, infant formulas, and daily multivitamin supplements.
• Yeast Extracts Natural ingredients for flavor enhancement, salt reduction, and longer shelf life offered in partnership with Biorigin. Includes natural MSG replacers, autolyzed yeast extracts, salt enhancers, and natural preservatives developed with biotechnological processes.
• Sugar and Salt Enhancers Proprietary flavors developed to enhance the perception of sweetness, salinity, and bitterness offered in partnership with SciTech Ingredients. Includes booster flavors for mouthfeel in reduced sugar products, natural masking agents, and solutions enabling up to 50% sugar reduction.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 custom formulations completed

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• GlucorpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Calico partnered with Glucorp, a manufacturer of Organic and Conventional Rice and Tapioca Syrups, Rice Proteins, Grains and Powders. Glucorp products are All Natural, Organic, Clean Label, Sustainable, and High Quality, meeting customer demands for cleaner, healthier ingredients.
• VivifycoreOthersVivify is the parent company of Calico Food Ingredients. Vivify is a leading supplier of specialty colorants and functional ingredients with 800+ customers in 50+ countries. Headquarters in Glendale Heights, IL with three additional facilities across North America.
• California Natural ColorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia Natural Color offers a wide selection of colour concentrates and dried crystals to the food, beverage, and nutraceutical industries. Products include Colours From Fruit and Vegetable Sources, Unique Liquid and Crystal Colour Systems, Clean Label Colours with no carriers or additives and superior colour stability.
• Divi's NutraceuticalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDivi's Nutraceutical provides highest quality carotenoid and vitamin ingredient solutions. Products include Beta-Carotene, Apocarotenal, Lutein, Lycopene, Canthaxanthin, Astaxanthin, Vitamins A, D & E. Fully compliant with US and EU standards for food, dietary supplements and animal feed.
• LycoredcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLycored is a global leader in lycopene based color ingredients for food and beverages, delivering brilliant yellows, oranges, pinks and reds. Products are Made from Tomatoes, Certified Kosher & Halal, Vegetarian Friendly & Non-GMO, Heat, Light and pH Stable with Clean Label designation.
• BiorigincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBiorigin offers natural ingredients for flavor enhancement, salt reduction, and longer shelf life of foods and nutritional supplements rich in amino acids and B-complex vitamins. Portfolio includes seven product lines based on biotechnological processes using specially-selected yeast strains.
• BrooksidecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrookside creates inspired sweet and savory flavors for breakthrough products. Products include Natural, certified organic, Non GMO extracts, Vegan meaty/fatty flavor keys, Modulatory technology available in liquid, pastes and powdered forms.
• SciTech IngredientscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSciTech Ingredients develops proprietary Natural Flavours to enhance perception of sweetness, salinity and flavours. Also developed natural masking agents and mouthfeel enhancers for reduced sugar applications. Can achieve sugar reduction up to 50%.
• DöhlercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDöhler offers natural extracts and distillates including pure vanilla extract, tea and numerous plant extracts & distillates, chocolate extracts & distillates. Focused on advanced technology, innovation, and exceptional customer service.
• The Wright GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Wright Group specializes in hands-on development, formulation and manufacturing of custom nutritional blends and premixes. Products include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, botanicals, blends, and microencapsulation for breakfast cereals, functional foods, nutrition bars, sports nutrition, infant formulas and supplements.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sensient Technologies: Large global specialty ingredients company with dedicated colors and flavors segments serving food and beverage manufacturers. Directly comparable to Calico's natural and synthetic color portfolio, with much greater scale and geographic breadth.
• GNT Group: Specialist in plant-based, natural food colors (Exberry brand) for the F&B industry. Directly competes with Calico's natural color line, particularly in clean-label reformulation projects.
• Kalsec: Family-owned supplier of natural colors, flavors, and hop extracts for food and beverage manufacturers. Closely comparable to Calico's specialty ingredient distributor/formulator model and customer segments.
• DDW The Color House: Supplier of caramel colors and natural food colors to global food and beverage manufacturers. Overlaps with Calico's caramel and natural color offerings across bakery, beverage, and confectionery segments.
• Roha: Specialty ingredient company focused on food colors and flavor solutions for the global F&B industry. Directly comparable in product mix (natural and synthetic colors) and customer base to Calico.

Broad incumbents

• Döhler: Global ingredients group offering natural extracts, distillates, flavors, and colors. Comparable to Calico's vanilla/tea extracts and broader color portfolio; functions as both a partner and a broader-market competitor.
• Givaudan (Naturex): World-leading flavors and fragrances house with extensive natural ingredient portfolio (via Naturex acquisition). Overlaps with Calico's natural color, flavor, and plant extract offerings, serving the same food and beverage manufacturers.
• Chr. Hansen (now Novonesis): Global bioscience company with a natural colors division serving food and beverage manufacturers. Comparable to Calico's natural color portfolio across dairy, beverage, confectionery, and nutraceutical segments.

Emerging players

• Lycored: Global lycopene-based natural color specialist for food and beverages. Calico distributes Lycored's products in Canada, making it both a partner and a close functional competitor in the carotenoid/natural color category.

Others

• Vivify Specialty Ingredients: Calico's parent company and the largest natural point of comparison; provides the same color and functional ingredient solutions at greater scale across North America. As parent, not a direct competitor but a key benchmark for Calico's reach and positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/calico-food-ingredients

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Calico Food Ingredients