Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring 20 Milliliters (Outback Pack)

Our review of the Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring Outback Pack finds it most useful for home bakers and small professional pastry cooks who need richly saturated color in fat-based recipes. The single biggest reason to buy is that the pigments are dispersed in oil, which delivers consistently vibrant, deep shades in buttercream, ganache and chocolate without watering down texture or taste. It is also allergen free and vegan, so it suits dietary-sensitive kitchens while meeting Australian and New Zealand safety standards.

Key Features

• Oil-dispersed color: The oil base provides intense pigments that blend smoothly into buttercream and ganache for bold, even color.
• Best for fat-based recipes: Formulated to work particularly well in buttercream, chocolate and ganache where water-based dyes struggle to perform.
• Versatile uses: Suitable for Swiss meringue, cake batter, fondant and melting wafers, giving consistent results across common decorating tasks.
• Allergen free and vegan: Free from common allergens and animal ingredients, making it appropriate for a wide range of dietary needs.
• Meets safety standards: Manufactured to comply with the food safety standards of the Australian and New Zealand Food Authority.

Who It's For

Bakers who frequently color buttercream, chocolate and other fat-rich icings will appreciate the intense, shiny results this product produces; it keeps chocolate looking glossy and does not affect taste, which makes it ideal for professional-looking confections. Home cake decorators who want strong color with small additions will find it efficient for achieving deep tones without altering texture.

Those who primarily need water-soluble colors for sugar work or thin icings may prefer a water-based product instead, as oil-dispersed color is optimized for fats and may not integrate as cleanly into very wet mixtures. Buyers who want large-volume, budget colors should weigh cost against the concentrated performance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Produces vibrant, accurate color especially in buttercream and chocolate.
• Oil dispersion helps color blend smoothly without changing texture.
• Allergen free and vegan, and meets Australian/New Zealand safety standards.
• Does not noticeably affect taste when used as directed.

Cons

• Some customers report concerns about lid fit and occasional bottle leakage during storage or transport.
• Price per milliliter may feel high for bakers who need large quantities of basic colors.

Specifications

Product name	Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring Outback Pack
Volume	20 milliliters per bottle (pack item)
Color base	Oil-dispersed pigments
Recommended uses	Buttercream, Swiss meringue, chocolate, cake batter, ganache, fondant
Allergen information	Allergen free
Dietary	Vegan
Safety	Meets Australian and New Zealand Food Authority standards

Our Verdict

The Colour Mill oil-based food colors are a strong choice for anyone who colors fat-rich confections and needs reliable, vivid pigmentation without altering taste. While the packaging can be improved to prevent occasional leakage and the cost is higher than some water-based options, the concentrated performance in buttercream and chocolate makes it good value for decorators who prioritize color quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this color be used in chocolate?
Yes, the oil-dispersed formulation is specifically suited to chocolate and ganache and will blend in without seizing or dulling the finish.

Will it change the taste of my frosting?
Customers report no noticeable taste change when used in typical amounts for buttercream and other icings.

Is it safe for dietary restrictions?
Yes, the product is allergen free and vegan and meets the food safety standards of the Australian and New Zealand Food Authority.