Food Color

FDA Approves Three New Natural Color Additives

| Trace One News | Additives | Regulatory News
Posted By: Sandhya Sashikumar

On May 9, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has amended its color additive regulations to allow the use of three new natural colorants in food, expanding opportunities for manufacturers seeking clean label ingredients.

Which Natural Colorants Are Now Approved?

  • Galdieria Extract Blue: Derived from Galdieria sulphuraria, a species of red algae, this blue colorant is now permitted for use in a wide range of foods, including:
    • Beverages
    • Yogurts
    • Candies
    • Frozen desserts
  • Butterfly Pea Flower Extract: Already used in some food categories, butterfly pea flower extract is now approved for use in additional products such as:
    • Chips
    • Breakfast cereals
    • Crackers
  • Calcium Phosphate: Traditionally used in supplements and fortification, calcium phosphate has been approved as a white coloring agent for:
    • Ready-to-eat chicken
    • Confectionery
    • Food coatings

Petition Origins and Legal Basis

These approvals follow color additive petitions submitted by:

  • Fermentalg (France)
  • Sensient Colors LLC (St. Louis, USA)
  • Innophos Inc. (USA)

Under Section 721 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA authorizes the use of color additives following a safety review and rulemaking process. Once finalized, manufacturers may legally incorporate these colorants in food products as specified.

What This Means for Food Manufacturers

This update supports growing demand for naturally derived ingredients and clean-label formulations. The expanded list of approved uses for these colorants offers flexibility for innovation across diverse product categories.

Announcement Date: May 9, 2025
Link to Regulation
Food & Ingredients Impacted: Beverages, yogurts, candies, frozen desserts, chips, cereals, crackers, ready-to-eat chicken, coatings
Effective Date: May 9, 2025


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