FDA approves natural blue food dye made from gardenia fruit

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced last week that it had approved a new blue food dye derived from the fruit of the Gardenia plant. The additive is approved for use in sports drinks, flavored or enhanced non-carbonated water, fruit drinks and ready-to-drink teas, along with hard and soft candies.

According to a July 14 news release, the agency granted Gardenia Blue Interest Group’s (GBIG) color additive petition to use the new, natural dye “at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice.” The blue food dye is the fourth natural color additive approved by the FDA for use in foods in the last two months. It joins galdieria extract blue, a blue colorant made from a unicellular species of red algae called Galdieria sulphuraria; calcium phosphate, a white powder; and butterfly pea flower extract, a blue color that can be used to create various shades of blues, purples and greens.

“This expedited timeline underscored our serious intent to transition away from petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the food supply,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. “Now, by expanding the palette of available colors derived from natural sources, food manufacturers have a variety of options available that will make it easier to end their use of petroleum-based dyes.”

The recent announcement comes in the wake of the FDA’s ongoing efforts to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes by the end of next year. The efforts are in accord with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s initiative to “Make America Healthy Again.” Several major companies, including PepsiCo, General Mills and Nestle, have already announced that they’ll stop using artificial colors in their products in the coming years.

“Every day, children are exposed to synthetic chemicals in food that serve no purpose and threaten their health,” Kennedy Jr. said in a statement. “The FDA’s approval of gardenia blue shows we’re finally putting kids first. Thanks to Dr. Marty Makary’s bold leadership, we’re cutting through industry influence and taking decisive action to Make America Healthy Again.”

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