Do salmon and trout foods contain dyes?
In nature, the flesh of salmon and trout can be a red/pink color, due to an antioxidant called astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is produced in natural waterways by algae, yeasts, and bacteria, all of which are found in the salmonid food chain. Astaxanthin is an essential nutrient for salmon. It is required to stay healthy and disease-free. Salmon cannot synthesize astaxanthin on their own, which means they need a dietary supply for these vital functions. The astaxanthin used in fish feed is made in the same way as vitamins you buy at a health food store.
