The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three natural colour additives permitted for use in food and drinks manufacturing.
The newly approved additives include galdieria extract blue, calcium phosphate, and butterfly pea flower extract.
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FDA said in a statement that the move is “in line with US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s priority to phase out petroleum-based dyes in the nation’s food supply as part of the administration’s broader initiative to Make America Healthy Again”, an initiative launched when President Trump took office.
It added the decision “will expand the palette of available colours from natural sources for manufacturers to safely use in food”.
In April, the FDA announced, under Kennedy’s guidance, measures to phase out the use of petroleum-based food dyes by the end of next year.
Under the plans, the FDA said it would start the process of removing its authorisation for two synthetic food colourings – Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B – “within the coming months”.
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By GlobalDataSix other synthetic dyes the agency allows to be used in food – FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1 and FD&C Blue No. 2 – will be removed from the food supply by the end of next year, it added.
In its latest update permitting the three natural food colourings, the FDA listed a whole range of finished products, from fruit drinks and alcoholic beverages, to ice lollies and dairy products, and to pretzels and crisps.
“For too long, our food system has relied on synthetic, petroleum-based dyes that offer no nutritional value and pose unnecessary health risks. We’re removing these dyes and approving safe, natural alternatives to protect families and support healthier choices,” Kennedy said in the statement.
In another connected move, the FDA declared in January its plan to prohibit the use of Red 3 food colouring in food and drugs by January 2027 and January 2028, respectively.
Galdieria extract blue is derived from algae, calcium phosphate is sourced from a naturally occurring mineral, and butterfly pea flower extract is made from dried flower petals.
