Abstract: A dry color concentrate for use in coloring sugar/syrup solutions and sugarless syrup solutions used to coat confectionery forms, pharmaceutical tablets, and the like, comprises 1) a carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of corn syrup solids, maltodextrin, tapioca dextrin, sugar, polyols, and combinations thereof, 2) a colorant, and, optionally, 3) a plasticizer.

Abstract: A method of coating substrates such as pharmaceutical tablets, food and confectionery forms, agricultural seeds and the like, with a protective film comprises the steps of mixing a cellulosic polymer, maltodextrin, and a plasticizer into water to form an aqueous coating suspension, spraying an effective amount of said coating suspension onto said substrates to form a film coating on said substrates, and drying the film coating on said substrates. Optionally, a detackifier, a secondary film former, a flow aid, and/or a colorant may be dispersed into the coating suspension before applying the coating suspension to the substrates. A dry powder edible film coating composition for use in pharmaceuticals, food and confectionery forms, agricultural seeds, and the like, comprises a dry mixture of a cellulosic polymer, maltodextrin, and a plasticizer. Optionally, the dry coating composition may include a detackifier, a secondary film former, a flow aid, and/or a colorant.