The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a significant update to its labelling policies and colour additive approvals, marking a major step in the agency’s ongoing initiative to remove petroleum-based synthetic colours from the nation’s food supply.
In a move designed to incentivise the transition to naturally derived ingredients, the FDA issued notice of enforcement discretion regarding the claim “no artificial colours.” Under the new guidance, manufacturers will have the flexibility to use this claim on products that do not contain petroleum-based colours.
This represents a distinct departure from previous regulations. Historically, the FDA considered any added colour to be “artificial,” regardless of its source. Consequently, companies were generally prohibited from claiming “no artificial colours” unless the product contained no added colour ingredients whatsoever.
“We acknowledge that calling colours derived from natural sources ‘artificial’ might be confusing for consumers and a hindrance for companies to explore alternative food colouring options,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “We’re taking away that hindrance and making it easier for companies to use these colours in the foods our families eat every day.”
Expansion of Natural Colour Toolkit
Alongside the labelling updates, the agency approved two petitions regarding colour additives derived from natural sources:
Beetroot Red: Approved as a new colour option.
Spirulina Extract: Approval granted for expanded use of this existing natural colour additive.
These approvals bring the total number of new food colour options authorised under the current administration to six.
Kyle Diamantas, J.D., Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, noted that the agency is working to accelerate authorisations for alternative sources. “The actions announced today give companies even more ways to transition to the use of alternative colours derived from natural sources,” Diamantas said.
Strategic Context: The Phase-Out of Petroleum Dyes
These regulatory changes build upon the broader "Make America Healthy Again" initiative. In April 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FDA announced measures to collaborate with the industry on phasing out all petroleum-based synthetic colours.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described the new measures as “real progress” in the effort to help Americans consume real food. “We are making it easier for companies to move away from petroleum-based synthetic colours and adopt safer, naturally derived alternatives,” Kennedy stated.
To maintain transparency, the FDA is publicly tracking industry progress via the “Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum-Based Food Dyes” webpage.
Safety Compliance Reminder
While encouraging the shift to natural alternatives, the FDA emphasised that safety standards remain paramount. The agency issued a letter to the industry highlighting resources to assist manufacturers in maintaining high standards of safety and purity for authorised colour additives. Manufacturers are reminded of their continued responsibility to ensure the safety of all colour ingredients used in formulation.
