The FDA has officially approved three new food color additives derived from natural sources. These offer a safer alternative to petroleum-based dyes in the U.S. food supply. The approval of these natural food colors marks a big step toward cleaner labeling and healthier food options.
Moreover, this update supports the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ plan to phase out synthetic dyes. As part of its Make America Healthy Again campaign, the FDA is acting in response to growing demand for transparent, natural ingredients. Keep reading to learn how these newly approved colors may affect your product formulations.
What are the newly approved natural food colors?
The three FDA-approved natural color additives are:
- Galdieria extract blue: This blue colorant comes from red algae. It is now allowed in many products, including beverages, yogurts, smoothies, candies, cereals, dairy desserts, and whipped toppings. Fermentalg, a French biotechnology company, submitted the petition.
- Butterfly pea flower extract: Already added to several food and drink products, its use now includes snacks like chips, cereals, and pretzels. The extract provides blue, purple, or green hues. U.S.-based Sensient Colors LLC submitted this petition.
- Calcium phosphate: This white colorant is now approved for ready-to-eat chicken, candy coatings, and powdered sugars. Innophos Inc. in New Jersey filed the petition.
These approvals are especially impactful for brands seeking to eliminate artificial additives while maintaining visual appeal in their food products.
Why this matters for your compliance strategy
Under U.S. law, manufacturers must get FDA approval before using color additives in food. This means your team needs to confirm that any new ingredient is used only in approved ways. Once approved, the colors are available for any company to use.
In addition, the FDA’s decision also signals a faster review process for future color additive petitions. According to FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary, the agency is committed to expediting approvals to support a nationwide shift to safer ingredients.
Staying ahead of regulatory change
If your products currently use petroleum-based dyes, now is the time to start planning your transition. Reformulating with FDA-approved natural food colors not only enhances your brand’s marketability but also helps you stay ahead of potential restrictions or consumer backlash. Consider reviewing your ingredient lists and labels to determine whether your formulations may benefit from this regulatory update.
At Quality Smart Solutions, we can support you with end-to-end regulatory services, from formulation review and label compliance to guidance on FDA submissions and ingredient approvals. Need help transitioning to natural food colorants? Contact us today to speak with our food compliance experts.
FAQs
What natural food colors did the FDA recently approve?
The FDA has approved several natural color additives, including gardenia blue and titanium dioxide alternatives, for specific food uses. These approvals are designed to provide manufacturers with safer, plant-based, or mineral-based options instead of relying solely on synthetic dyes. Each color has defined identity, purity, and permitted application conditions to ensure consumer safety.
Why is the FDA encouraging natural over synthetic food colors?
Synthetic dyes like Red No. 3 and others have been linked to safety concerns and face mounting consumer backlash. Natural colors are seen as safer, less controversial, and more aligned with the “clean label” trend. By approving natural colorants, the FDA is enabling manufacturers to meet consumer demand for transparency and healthier product formulations.
How does this approval affect food and beverage companies?
Manufacturers can now reformulate products with FDA-approved natural alternatives. This may involve updating recipes, revalidating production processes, and adjusting labels. While sourcing natural colors may increase costs, the long-term benefits include stronger consumer trust, compliance with evolving regulations, and alignment with clean-label marketing strategies.
Are natural food colors safer than synthetic ones?
Natural colors are generally considered safer because they are derived from plants, minerals, or microorganisms. However, safety depends on proper use and adherence to FDA specifications for purity and permitted food categories. The FDA only grants approval when scientific data demonstrates safety for consumption at approved levels.
What should consumers expect on food labels after this change?
Consumers may begin seeing more recognizable ingredients listed on food labels such as “gardenia blue” or “spirulina extract” instead of chemical-sounding synthetic dyes. Over time, foods and beverages may transition to being marketed as “free from artificial colors,” making natural alternatives the new industry standard.
