What new natural food dyes has the FDA approved?

The FDA has approved beetroot red and expanded the use of spirulina extract.

Why is the FDA moving away from artificial food dyes?

The move aims to replace artificial, petroleum-based food dyes with natural alternatives to promote healthier eating and enhance food safety.

Can products with these new dyes be labeled 'no artificial colors'?

Yes, products featuring these natural dyes can now be labeled 'no artificial colors', allowing consumers to easily differentiate them.

Home / Health / FDA Embraces Beetroot Red & Spirulina for Natural Food Color

FDA Embraces Beetroot Red & Spirulina for Natural Food Color

5 Feb

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Summary

FDA approves beetroot red and expands spirulina extract use.
Move aims to replace artificial, petroleum-based food dyes.
Products with natural dyes can now be labeled 'no artificial colors'.

FDA Embraces Beetroot Red & Spirulina for Natural Food Color

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of beetroot red and expanded the availability of spirulina extract. This action is a significant step in the "Make America Healthy Again" movement's goal to transition food coloring away from artificial, petroleum-based dyes towards natural alternatives.

The FDA's latest approvals bring the total number of approved natural colors to six. Beetroot red, derived from beets, offers a reddish-purple hue, while spirulina extract, sourced from algae, provides a blue-green color. These natural dyes can now be more broadly used in human foods, with exceptions for infant formula and USDA-inspected items.

A key aspect of this regulatory update is the allowance for products featuring these natural dyes to be labeled "no artificial colors." This change empowers consumers to readily distinguish between naturally and synthetically colored foods, supporting a shift towards transparency in food labeling.