/>i- On May 9, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of three new food color additives derived from natural sources. This development follows the agency’s late-April announcement of its intension to collaborate with industry stakeholders to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic food dyes. As part of this broader initiative, FDA had committed to authorizing new natural color additives and expediting the review process for others already under consideration.
- The newly approved color additives include:
- Galdieria extract blue, derived from the red algae Galdieria sulphuraria, was originally petitioned September 9 2021 (86 Fed Reg 50495). It is now approved for its use in a wide range of products including nonalcoholic beverages, fruit drinks, smoothies, juices, yogurt products, breakfast cereal coatings, candy, and other desserts.
- Butterfly pea flower extract, originally approved in September 2021 for limited uses such as beverages and confections at 21 CFR 73.69, was petitioned for expanded use February 8, 2024 (89 Fed Reg 8537). It is now approved for expanded uses including ready-to-eat cereals, crackers, snack mixes, hard pretzels, and various forms of chips.
- Calcium Phosphate, a white color additive derived from a naturally occurring mineral, was petitioned February 27, 2023 (88 Fed Reg. 12281) and has now been approved for use in ready-to-eat chicken products, white candy melts, doughnut sugar, and sugar for coated candies.
- Notably, during the press hearing, the agency had indicated it would authorize four new color additives. However, only three were ultimately approved, with gardenia blue not included in the announcement for the newly authorized colors.
FDA Approves Three New Natural Food Colors
Thursday, May 15, 2025
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