A ready-to-use water dispersible pigment composition containing at least 5% by weight of water is provided. The composition comprises a stable dispersion of a water-insoluble and/or hydrophobic natural pigment such as a carotenoid, curcumin, a porphyrin pigment or vegetable carbon black in the form of bodies of an average size which is at the most 10 mu m is provided. The pigment bodies are dispersed without the use of a surface active substance in an aqueous phase comprising a hydrocolloid. The natural pigment in compositions which are useful for colouring of food products and pharmaceuticals do not migrate in the products. The compositions are useful in coating compositions for tablets and dragees.
