Natural Colours
Plant-, mineral- or fermentation-derived colouring ingredients subject to additive approvals, purity criteria, source rules and market-specific labelling requirements.
Foresight tracks Natural Colours developments and surfaces the alerts most likely to matter before they turn into missed deadlines, recalls, or escalation work.
Current activity
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In line with the prior 8-week baseline
3-month trend
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Last updated
4 April 2026, 10:31
Latest Natural Colours alerts
The most recent regulatory and guidance signals tracked by Foresight
US FDA Announces Color Additive Petition To Remove Methylene Chloride, Trichloroethylene, and Ethylene Dichloride From Color Additive Regulations
The US FDA is considering a petition to remove methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, and ethylene dichloride as permitted solvents in specific food, drug, and cosmetic color additives. Although the proposal is based on industry abandonment, a final rule would formalize the restriction of these chlorinated solvents, requiring manufacturers to ensure extraction processes remain compliant with revised ingredient standards.
United StatesUS FDA Indefinitely Delays Effective Date of Beetroot Red Color Additive Exemption From Certification
The US FDA has indefinitely delayed the effective date for listing beetroot red as a certified-exempt color additive following formal objections. Food and beverage manufacturers must treat the exemption as not yet in effect, requiring a pause on product formulation changes using this GE-derived colorant.
United StatesUS FDA Delays Effective Date of Spirulina Extract Color Additive Rule
The US FDA has indefinitely delayed the implementation of expanded use permissions and stricter heavy metal specifications for spirulina extract color additives. Manufacturers must maintain current compliance standards and pause any planned formulation or sourcing shifts until the FDA resolves formal objections to the new rule.
United StatesEU EFSA FAF Panel Issues Safety Opinion On Blue Galdieria Extract As A Food Additive
EFSA has issued a positive safety opinion for blue Galdieria extract as a food additive, establishing an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 7 mg/kg bw per day. This opinion provides the toxicological foundation for future EU market authorization, though manufacturers should note potential exposure concerns for children at maximum use levels.
European UnionUS FDA Announces Filing of Color Additive Petition for Jagua (Genipin-Glycine) Blue in Pet Foods
The US FDA has formally filed a petition to expand the permitted use of jagua (genipin-glycine) blue as a certified-exempt color additive in pet foods. If approved, this would provide pet food manufacturers with a new natural-origin blue pigment option, requiring formulators to monitor potential updates to 21 CFR Part 73 for final usage specifications.
United StatesEU Draft Implementing Regulation Amending Lutein/Lutein‑Zeaxanthin Feed Additive Authorisation for Poultry
The EU has proposed amendments to the authorization conditions for lutein and lutein-zeaxanthin feed additives, with a comment deadline of April 25, 2026. Manufacturers should evaluate the draft for technical specification changes that could necessitate adjustments to product formulations or compliance documentation.
European UnionEU Commission Corrects E 163 Anthocyanins Food Additive Definition in Certain Language Versions
The EU has corrected the definition of food additive E 163 (Anthocyanins) in Czech, French, and Slovenian language versions of the Food Additive Specifications Regulation, effective March 9, 2026. Businesses should ensure technical specifications and compliance audits in these specific jurisdictions reflect the corrected scope to maintain regional regulatory alignment.
European UnionUS FDA Announces Enforcement Discretion for 'No Artificial Colors' Labelling Claims
The US FDA issued an enforcement discretion policy in February 2026, allowing "no artificial colors" labeling claims for foods containing natural color additives. This provides immediate flexibility for clean-label branding strategies, provided products exclude synthetic FD&C certified colors and comply with natural source approval processes.
United StatesUS FDA Expands Permitted Uses of Spirulina Extract as a Colour Additive and Updates Heavy Metal Specifications
The US FDA has expanded the permitted use of spirulina extract as a color additive to include most human foods, effective March 23, 2026. Manufacturers should update procurement and testing protocols to comply with new, mandatory purity specifications for heavy metals and microcystin toxins.
United StatesUS FDA Lists Beetroot Red as a Colour Additive Exempt From Certification
The US FDA has approved beetroot red as a color additive exempt from batch certification for general food use, effective March 23, 2026. This provides manufacturers with a streamlined natural coloring option while mandating strict adherence to heavy metal impurity limits and good manufacturing practices.
United StatesEU EFSA Issues Scientific Opinion On Specifications For Food Additive Vegetable Carbon (E 153)
EFSA has recommended tightening purity specifications for the food additive vegetable carbon (E 153), including stricter limits for heavy metals and PAHs. Manufacturers should prepare for future legislative amendments to Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 and anticipate new requirements for nanoscale characterization of carbon-based additives.
European UnionEU Commission Adopts Implementing Regulation 2025/2575 Withdrawing Certain Feed Additives
The EU is withdrawing market authorisations for a wide range of feed additives, including botanical flavourings and enzymes, effective January 2026. Companies must audit formulations and manage phased transition deadlines through 2028 to ensure continued market access and supply chain continuity.
European UnionEU Commission Implementing Regulation 2025/2575 Withdraws Certain Feed Additives From The Market
The EU has adopted Regulation 2025/2575, withdrawing authorisations for numerous legacy feed additives—including botanical extracts, enzymes, and flavourings—with market exit deadlines starting in January 2027. Operators must audit formulations for affected substances like malic acid and specific essential oils to ensure compliance and manage inventory before staggered use-up periods expire.
European UnionEuropean Economic AreaEFSA Concludes Safety Assessment of Jagua Blue Food Additive
EFSA has cleared jagua (genipin-glycine) blue as a safe new food additive, establishing an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for its use in the EU market. This positive opinion paves the way for formal regulatory approval, offering manufacturers a new natural-origin blue colouring option for food and beverage applications.
European UnionEU Authorises Lutein Extract Feed Additive for Turkeys
The EU has authorized lutein-rich extract as a feed additive for turkeys for ten years, effective October 2025. This secures long-term market access but requires producers to implement specific carotenoid limits and worker safety protocols to manage irritation risks.
European UnionEU Authorises Lutein-rich Tagetes Erecta Extract for Turkey Feed
The EU has authorized lutein-rich Tagetes erecta extract as a feed additive for turkeys, effective October 16, 2025, following positive EFSA safety assessments. Manufacturers must ensure compliance with strict residue limits for benzene and hexane while implementing mandatory occupational safety protocols for handling irritant preparations.
European UnionChina Proposes Update to Standard for Food Additive Tomato Red
China has proposed a revised national food safety standard for the food additive tomato red, introducing stricter purity requirements and updated testing methods. Manufacturers must review extraction processes and solvent residue levels to ensure compliance with new compositional limits and heavy metal thresholds.
ChinaJapan Removes 31 Additives From Existing Additives List
Japan has officially removed 31 substances from its permitted food additives list, effective August 25, 2025. Manufacturers must immediately audit formulations for the Japanese market to ensure compliance, as the sale or use of these substances in food is now prohibited.
JapanFDA Approves Gardenia Blue and Speeds FD&C Red No. 3 Phase-Out
The FDA has approved gardenia blue as a natural color additive while urging an accelerated phase-out of synthetic FD&C Red No. 3 ahead of the 2027 deadline. This move underscores a broader regulatory shift toward natural ingredients, necessitating urgent reformulation strategies and supply chain adjustments for food and supplement manufacturers.
United StatesFDA Corrects Methanol Specification For Gardenia Blue In Foods
The US FDA has corrected the methanol limit for gardenia (genipin) blue food colorant from 6 ppm to 300 ppm, effective August 29, 2025. This revision rectifies a technical error, providing manufacturers with accurate compliance thresholds for natural blue pigments in food and beverage applications.
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