Natural Colours

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 formalize the removal of three chlorinated solvents from permitted use in food, drug, and cosmetic color additives. Businesses should verify that extraction processes for natural extracts like annatto and paprika have transitioned to compliant alternatives ahead of the anticipated regulatory phase-out.

4 Apr 2026, 10:31govinfo.govUnited States

US FDA Indefinitely Delays Effective Date of Beetroot Red Color Additive Exemption From Certification

The US FDA has indefinitely suspended the authorization of beetroot red as a certified-exempt color additive following formal objections to its genetically engineered production. Manufacturers must halt any planned formulation changes using this ingredient as the regulatory stay creates immediate compliance risk for new product launches.

24 Mar 2026, 11:21public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

US 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. Businesses must maintain current compliance standards and pause planned formulation or sourcing shifts until the agency resolves formal objections to the rule.

24 Mar 2026, 11:19public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

EU 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 a formal Acceptable Daily Intake. This assessment provides the toxicological foundation for future EU market authorization, though potential exposure risks for children may influence final use level restrictions.

18 Mar 2026, 16:07efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

US FDA Announces Filing of Color Additive Petition for Jagua (Genipin-Glycine) Blue in Pet Foods

The US FDA has filed a petition to authorize the use of jagua (genipin-glycine) blue as a color additive in pet foods. This development offers pet food manufacturers a new natural-origin pigment alternative, requiring formulators to prepare for potential updates to ingredient specifications and labeling requirements.

9 Mar 2026, 16:55federalregister.govUnited States

EU Draft Implementing Regulation Amending Lutein/Lutein‑Zeaxanthin Feed Additive Authorisation for Poultry

The European Union has proposed amendments to the authorization conditions for lutein and lutein-zeaxanthin feed additives, with a WTO comment deadline set for April 2026. Manufacturers should evaluate the draft for technical specification changes that may necessitate adjustments to product formulations or compliance documentation for poultry feed.

2 Mar 2026, 09:18eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Corrects E 163 Anthocyanins Food Additive Definition in Certain Language Versions

The European Union has corrected the definition of food additive E 163 (Anthocyanins) in specific language versions of the Food Additive Specifications Regulation, effective March 2026. Businesses should update technical documentation and compliance audits for the Czech, French, and Slovenian markets to ensure alignment with the corrected regulatory scope.

18 Feb 2026, 19:52eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

US FDA Announces Enforcement Discretion for 'No Artificial Colors' Labelling Claims

The US FDA has introduced an enforcement discretion policy permitting no artificial colors labeling claims for food products that exclude synthetic FD&C certified dyes. This provides immediate flexibility for clean-label branding and marketing while ensuring that all natural color additives remain subject to existing pre-approval safety standards.

11 Feb 2026, 14:29fda.govUnited States

US 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 across most human foods while introducing stricter purity specifications for heavy metals and toxins. Manufacturers must update procurement and quality testing protocols by March 2026 to ensure compliance with new mandatory limits for lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and microcystins.

11 Feb 2026, 11:17govinfo.govUnited States

US FDA Lists Beetroot Red as a Colour Additive Exempt From Certification

The US FDA has finalized the listing of beetroot red as a color additive exempt from batch certification for general food use starting March 2026. This expansion of approved natural colorants offers greater formulation flexibility but necessitates rigorous supply chain controls to meet specific heavy metal impurity thresholds.

11 Feb 2026, 09:35govinfo.govUnited States

EU EFSA Issues Scientific Opinion On Specifications For Food Additive Vegetable Carbon (E 153)

EFSA has recommended stricter purity specifications for the food additive vegetable carbon (E 153), targeting lower limits for heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Manufacturers should prepare for upcoming amendments to EU food additive regulations and anticipate new requirements for the characterization of nanoscale particles in carbon-based ingredients.

29 Jan 2026, 20:25doi.orgEuropean Union

EU Commission Adopts Implementing Regulation 2025/2575 Withdrawing Certain Feed Additives

The European Union is withdrawing market authorizations for a broad range of feed additives, including botanical flavorings and enzymes, effective January 2026. Companies must audit formulations and manage phased transition deadlines through 2028 to maintain market access and prevent supply chain disruptions.

11 Jan 2026, 08:53eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2025/2575 Withdraws Certain Feed Additives From The Market

The European Union has adopted Regulation 2025/2575 withdrawing authorisations for various legacy feed additives including botanical extracts and enzymes with market exit deadlines starting in January 2027. Businesses must audit formulations for affected substances such as malic acid and essential oils to manage inventory and ensure compliance before staggered use-up periods expire.

20 Dec 2025, 18:39eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

EFSA Concludes Safety Assessment of Jagua Blue Food Additive

EFSA has confirmed the safety of jagua blue as a new food additive, establishing an acceptable daily intake for its use in the European Union. This positive assessment facilitates the formal authorization of a natural-origin coloring alternative, expanding options for food and beverage manufacturers seeking to replace synthetic dyes.

9 Dec 2025, 08:22efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Authorises Lutein Extract Feed Additive for Turkeys

The European Union has formally authorized lutein-rich extract as a sensory feed additive for turkeys for a ten-year period. This secures long-term market access while mandating strict adherence to carotenoid concentration limits and enhanced worker safety protocols to mitigate handling risks.

8 Oct 2025, 09:02eping.wto.orgEuropean Union

EU Authorises Lutein-rich Tagetes Erecta Extract for Turkey Feed

The European Union has authorized lutein-rich Tagetes erecta extract as a feed additive for turkeys, establishing new compliance requirements effective October 2025. Companies must ensure formulations meet strict residue limits for benzene and hexane while implementing mandatory occupational safety protocols for handling irritant preparations.

29 Sept 2025, 10:23eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

China Proposes Update to Standard for Food Additive Tomato Red

China is revising its national food safety standard for tomato red to tighten purity specifications and update testing protocols for lycopene and residual solvents. Food manufacturers must evaluate extraction processes and solvent residue controls to ensure compliance with new compositional limits and heavy metal thresholds.

10 Sept 2025, 15:58eping.wto.orgChina

Japan 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.

27 Aug 2025, 13:38public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

FDA 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 transition away from synthetic FD&C Red No. 3. This move signals a broader regulatory pivot toward natural ingredients, requiring manufacturers to prioritize reformulation and supply chain adjustments to mitigate future compliance risks.

6 Aug 2025, 11:54fda.govUnited States

FDA Corrects Methanol Specification For Gardenia Blue In Foods

The US FDA has corrected the methanol limit for gardenia blue food colorant from 6 ppm to 300 ppm, effective August 29, 2025. This adjustment rectifies a technical error and provides food manufacturers with a more achievable and accurate compliance threshold for natural blue pigments.

5 Aug 2025, 22:00eping.wto.orgUnited States