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FDA approves 3 natural food dyes

The Brief The FDA approved three natural food dyes this week amid its transition away from petroleum-based dyes in the food supply. The colors "will expand the palette of available colors from natural sources for manufacturers to safely use in food," the FDA said. The colors are Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract and calcium phosphate. Amid its goal of eliminating certain artificial food dyes from the U.S. market, the Food and Drug Administration announced this week it has approved using color additives from three natural sources. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved three new color additives from natural sources. Dig deeper The three color additive petitions that were approved include Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract and calcium phosphate. The backstory The FDA determines whether an additive is safe to use by considering the projected human dietary exposure to the color additive, the additive's toxicological data and other relevant information, such as published literature. Once the FDA approves a color additive petition, any manufacturer can use the coloring for the approved uses. What it is Galdieria extract blue is a blue color derived from a species of red algae known as Galdieria sulphuraria. How it will be used The FDA has approved the color additive for the following uses: Drinks including nonalcoholic beverages and beverage bases, fruit drinks, fruit smoothies, fruit juices, vegetable juices, dairy-based smoothies, milk shakes and flavored milks, yogurt drinks, milk-based meal replacement and nutritional beverages Breakfast cereal coatings Hard candy, soft candy and chewing gum Flavored frostings, ice cream and frozen dairy desserts Frozen fruits, water ices and popsicles, gelatin desserts, puddings and custards, and whipped cream, yogurt, frozen or liquid creamers (including non-dairy alternatives), and whipped toppings (including non-dairy alternatives) What it is Butterfly pea flower extract is produced through the water extraction of the dried flower petals of the butterfly pea plant, according to the FDA. It produces a blue color that can be used to create shades of bright blues, intense purples and natural greens. How it will be used The FDA has today approved the color additive for the following uses: Ready-to-eat cereals Crackers Snack mixes Hard pretzels Plain potato chips (restructured or baked) Plain corn chips, tortilla chips, and multigrain chips The coloring has already been approved for use in sport drinks, fruit drinks, fruit and vegetable juices, alcoholic beverages, dairy drinks, ready to drink teas, nutritional beverages, gums, candy, coated nuts, ice creams and yogurt. What it is Calcium phosphate is a mineral compound that can be used to create a white color. How it will be used The FDA has today approved the color additive for the following uses: Ready-to-eat chicken products White candy melts Doughnut sugar Sugar for coated candies Last month, health officials announced plans to begin phasing out eight petroleum-based artificial colors from the nation's food supply. READ MORE: FDA aims to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes in food by end of 2026 Meanwhile So far this year, more than 20 states have introduced legislations that take aim at food chemicals, synthetic dyes and heavy metals, according to the Environmental Working Group. Additionally, the FDA banned Red 3 from foods earlier this year, with the order set to go into force in January 2027. RELATED: FDA bans Red 3 food dye, citing cancer risk What they're saying The FDA said this week that its approval of the three new natural color additives underscores their "serious intent to transition away from petroleum-based dyes in the food supply and provide new colors from natural sources." The three new approved colors "will expand the palette of available colors from natural sources for manufacturers to safely use in food," the FDA also said. The Source Information in this article was taken from a May 9, 2025, FDA news release on the approval of three food colors from natural sources. Background information on artificial food coloring was taken from previous FOX Television Station reportings. This story was reported from Detroit.