Fresh Spin on Food Colorings: U.S. Greenlights Three New Natural Options
FDA Permits New Hues Derived from Minerals, Algae, and Petals of Flowers for Use as Color Additives
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given a green light to three new color additives, sourced from nature, to join the nation's food palette. This move comes hot on the heels of health officials' pledge to phase out petroleum-based dyes commonly found in meals ranging from breakfast cereals to sports drinks, aiming for a health-boosting change, though the action is yet to be fully implemented.
Have a look at the new additives:
- Galdieria Extract Blue: Derived from the vibrant red algae Galdieria sulphuraria, this blue hue will now grace a variety of food and drink items such as fruit beverages, candies, and even frostings!
- Butterfly Pea Flower Extract: A beautiful blue tint extracted from the butterfly pea flower herself, this all-natural color boasts a wider range of uses than ever before, including breakfast cereals, crackers, and hard pretzels!
- Calcium Phosphate: A compound containing calcium and phosphorus from a naturally occurring mineral, this new addition will add a touch of brightness to white candy, donut sugar, sugar for coated candies, breaded chicken, and more!
In essence, these new color additives will broaden manufacturers' selection of safe, natural options for coloring foods—from fruit drinks and yogurt, to pretzels, ready-to-eat chicken, and candies.
Health activists have song for the removal of artificial dyes from foodstuffs for quite some time, pointing to mixed studies suggesting these dyes may induce neurobehavioral issues in some children, such as hyperactivity and attention problems. Despite these concerns, the FDA has repeatedly maintained that the approved dyes are harmless, as "the totality of scientific evidence shows that most children experience no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives."
The approvals, initially proposed in 2021, 2023, and 2024 by French company Fermentalg, Innophos Inc., and Sensient Colors LLC, respectively, will be published in the federal register on May 12 and will take effect in June.
The FDA, together with the Department of Health and Human Services, is aggressively pushing to eliminate synthetic food dyes, aiming to remove them all from U.S. food supplies by the end of 2026, largely through collaborating with the food industry. Additionally, the authorities plan to revoke the authorization for two rarely used artificial dyes: Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, and expedite the process to strip Red 3, a food color banned in January due to its link to cancer in lab rats.
Sources:[1] FDA's Announcement on Color Additives Approval: https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredient-packaging-labeling/color-additives-petitions[2] Galdieria Extract Blue Uses and Safety Information: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcn3454.pdf[3] Butterfly Pea Flower Extract Uses and Safety Information: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcn8277.pdf[4] Calcium Phosphate Uses and Safety Information: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcn8277.pdf[5] FDA's Ban on Synthetic Food Dyes: https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredient-packaging-labeling/synthetic-food-dyes[6] Health and Human Services Statement on Food Dye Phase-out: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/04/11/hhs-fda-announce-large-step-toward-eliminating-synthetic-food-dyes.html
- These new natural color additives, such as Galdieria Extract Blue, Butterfly Pea Flower Extract, and Calcium Phosphate, are expected to boost the health-and-wellness aspect of food-and-drink products by offering a more natural alternative to synthetic dyes.
- With the introduction of these safe, natural color options, the landscape of nutrition in food-and-drink products, including food items like fruit beverages, cereals, and candies, as well as lifestyle choices like snacks and desserts, may undergo significant change towards a healthier and more sustainable future.
