FDA approves three new natural color additives for food manufacturers
Investing.com -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the approval of three new color additive petitions, expanding the range of colors from natural sources available for food manufacturers to use safely. This move aligns with the priority set by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to phase out petroleum-based dyes in the nation’s food supply, a part of the broader initiative to Make America Healthy Again.
HHS Secretary Kennedy stated that the decision to remove synthetic, petroleum-based dyes and approve safe, natural alternatives is a significant step towards making America healthier. He emphasized that the aim is to protect families and support healthier choices.
Since the HHS and FDA announced their intention to remove petroleum-based food dyes last month, more U.S. food manufacturers have committed to eliminating them by the end of next year, in accordance with the FDA’s set timeframe. FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary, M.D., M.P.H., expressed satisfaction with the progress made towards the transition away from petroleum-based dyes, and the FDA’s efforts to expedite the approval of new colors from natural sources.
The three color additives approved today are:
1. Galdieria extract blue, a blue color derived from the unicellular red algae Galdieria sulphuraria, approved for use in a wide range of food and beverages. The petition for this color additive was submitted by French company Fermentalg.
2. Butterfly pea flower extract, a blue color that can be used to achieve various shades, produced through the water extraction of the dried flower petals of the butterfly pea plant. This color additive is already approved for use in a range of food and beverages, and today’s approval of a petition by St. Louis-based Sensient Colors LLC expands its approved use to other food products.
3. Calcium phosphate, a white color approved for use in ready-to-eat chicken products, white candy melts, doughnut sugar, and sugar for coated candies. The petition for this additive was filed by Innophos Inc. of Cranbury, New Jersey.
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, color additives are subject to FDA approval to determine their safety before they can be used in food. The FDA considers the projected human dietary exposure to the color additive, the additive’s toxicological data, and other relevant information to determine its safety. Once the FDA approves a color additive petition, any manufacturer can use the coloring for the approved uses.
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