FDA Approves Another Natural Color: Gardenia (Genipin) Blue

The FDA on July 14 approved another natural food colorant. The agency granted Gardenia Blue Interest Group’s petition to use the color gardenia (genipin) blue in various foods, making it the fourth color derived from natural sources approved by the FDA for use in foods in the past two months.

Gardenia (genipin) blue is derived from the fruit of the gardenia, a flowering evergreen. The FDA has approved the color additive for use in sports drinks, flavored or enhanced non-carbonated water, fruit drinks and ades, ready-to-drink teas, hard candy and soft candy.

The color is created by a process that involves soy protein hydrolysate. FDA is still reviewing whether soy must be listed as an allergen, as petitioners claim it is not present in the final ingredient.

“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.” 

Since Health & Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy announced a series of measures in April to work with industry to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in food, about 40% of the food industry has committed to a voluntary phase-out of such dyes, today’s FDA announcement said.

The three colors derived from natural sources approved in May were: 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.

In addition to approving the new color additive, the FDA said it had 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 Jan. 15, 2027 deadline. This earlier phase-out was another of the series of measures introduced by Secretary Kennedy in April.

On July 11, Consumer Brands Assn. announced it was encouraging members to remove certified Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) colors from products served in schools nationwide by the start of the 2026–2027 school year.

PHOTO AT TOP was generated with AI by AdobeStock.