In a significant move toward cleaner and safer food ingredients, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three new color additives derived from natural sources, further advancing the federal government’s initiative to phase out synthetic, petroleum-based food dyes.
This action aligns with U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s broader “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which prioritizes removing artificial additives from the American food supply.
“Today we take a major step to Make America Healthy Again,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “For too long, our food system has relied on synthetic, petroleum-based dyes that offer no nutritional value and pose unnecessary health risks.”
What’s Been Approved?
The FDA granted approval to three color additive petitions:
- Galdieria Extract Blue
- Source: A blue pigment derived from Galdieria sulphuraria, a red microalgae.
- Approved Uses: A wide variety of food products including non-alcoholic drinks, yogurts, ice cream, frozen desserts, candies, cereals, puddings, and more.
- Petitioner: French biotechnology company Fermentalg.
- Butterfly Pea Flower Extract
- Source: A natural color extracted from dried petals of the butterfly pea plant.
- Newly Approved Uses: Cereals, crackers, chips, pretzels, and snack mixes.
- Note: Already permitted in drinks, dairy products, yogurt, candy, and gums.
- Petitioner: Sensient Colors LLC, St. Louis, Missouri.
- Calcium Phosphate (White Color)
- Approved Uses: White candy melts, doughnut sugar, sugar coatings, and ready-to-eat chicken products.
- Petitioner: Innophos Inc., Cranbury, New Jersey.
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These additions reflect the FDA’s accelerated approach to color additive approvals.
“FDA staff have been moving quickly to expedite these decisions,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin A. Makary. “We are serious about transitioning away from petroleum-based dyes and offering safer, natural alternatives.”
Why This Matters
The FDA’s action supports growing consumer demand for transparency and health-conscious food choices. The approval process includes rigorous safety assessments, including dietary exposure and toxicological evaluations.
Following the HHS and FDA joint announcement last month, several U.S. food manufacturers have committed to removing synthetic dyes from their products by the end of 2026.
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