FDA Approves Gardenia-Derived Blue Food Dye in Various Foods
The FDA is allowing the safe use of the food additive gardenia (genipin) blue in various foods, it said in a Federal Register notice. The amended regulations take effect Aug. 29.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
The agency issued its order after weighing a color additive petition submitted by Exponent Inc. on behalf of the Gardenia Blue Interest Group.
The food additive, derived from the fruit of the gardenia, a flowering evergreen, may be used in sport drinks; flavored or enhanced non-carbonated water; fruit drinks and ades; ready-to-drink teas; and hard and soft candy.
In a July 14 press release, the FDA said it's the fourth color derived from natural sources that the agency has approved for use in foods in the last two months. In May, it approved galdieria extract blue, a blue colorant derived from the unicellular red algae Galdieria sulphuraria; calcium phosphate, a white powder; and butterfly pea flower extract, a blue color that can be used to achieve a range of shades including bright blues, intense purple and natural greens.
The FDA also said in the release that it sent a letter to manufacturers encouraging them to accelerate the phase-out of FD&C Red No. 3 in foods, including dietary supplements, sooner than the required deadline of Jan. 15, 2027.