Natural colors FDA has approved since 2025
Last checked: October 31, 2026By OTHER Natural Flavors, a service of Xponent21 Inc
Every natural color FDA has listed or expanded since January 2025, where each may be used, and whether you can use it yet.
Four are in effect. Two, beetroot red and the spirulina expansion, are approved but on hold after objections were filed.
| Color | Decision | Status | Permitted uses | Limits | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galdieria extract blue21 CFR 73.167Red microalga Galdieria sulphuraria | Listed May 12, 2025. Effective June 26, 2025, confirmed Aug 21, 2025. | In effect | Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage bases; fruit and vegetable juices; fruit drinks and smoothies; dairy-based beverages; hard candy, soft candy and chewing gum; flavored frostings; ice cream and frozen dairy desserts; yogurt; gelatin desserts, puddings and custards; whipped cream; frozen fruits, water ices and popsicles; breakfast cereal coatings; creamers; dairy and non-dairy whipped toppings. | Good manufacturing practice. Not in foods with a standard of identity unless the standard allows added color. | Federal Register, confirmation of effective date (Aug 21, 2025) |
| Butterfly pea flower extract (expanded uses)21 CFR 73.69Flowers of Clitoria ternatea | Expansion listed May 2025. | In effect | Alcoholic beverages; sports and energy drinks; flavored and sparkling water; juices, smoothies and grain-based drinks; nutritional beverages; sodas; teas; dairy and plant-based drinks; liquid coffee creamers; ice cream and frozen desserts; candy and chewing gum; coated nuts; yogurt fruit preparations; cereals; crackers, snack mixes, pretzels and several types of chips. | Good manufacturing practice. Not in foods with a standard of identity unless the standard allows added color. | 21 CFR 73.69 (eCFR via Cornell LII) |
| Calcium phosphate21 CFR 73.80Mineral | Listed May 2025. | In effect | Ready-to-eat chicken products; white candy melts; doughnut sugar; sugar for coated candies. | Ready-to-eat chicken: up to 1.5% by weight. White candy melts: up to 0.25%. Doughnut sugar: up to 2.0%. Sugar for coated candies: up to 5.25%. | 21 CFR 73.80 (eCFR via Cornell LII) |
| Gardenia (genipin) blue21 CFR 73.168Gardenia fruit (Gardenia jasminoides) | Listed July 15, 2025. Effective Aug 29, 2025. | In effect | Sport drinks; flavored or enhanced noncarbonated water; fruit drinks and ades; ready-to-drink teas; hard candy; soft candy. | Good manufacturing practice. Not in foods with a standard of identity unless the standard allows added color. Carbonated soft drinks are not on the list. | Federal Register, 90 FR (July 15, 2025) |
| Beetroot red21 CFR 73.39Fermentation with a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) engineered to make betanin, the pigment in red beets (Phytolon) | Listed Feb 6, 2026 (91 FR 5295). Effective date delayed indefinitely Mar 20, 2026 (91 FR 13965). | Delayed | Human foods generally, once an effective date is set. | Not in USDA-regulated meat, poultry or egg products, infant formula, or foods with a standard of identity unless the standard allows added color. Not usable until FDA publishes a new effective date; none had published as of Oct 31, 2026. | Federal Register, 91 FR 13965 (Mar 24, 2026) |
| Spirulina extract (expansion to all foods)21 CFR 73.530Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) | Expansion listed Feb 6, 2026 (91 FR 5291). Effective date delayed indefinitely Mar 20, 2026 (91 FR 13966). | Delayed | The expansion would cover all foods except infant formula and certain USDA-regulated foods. Until it takes effect, the earlier listed uses apply: confections, frostings, ice cream, beverage mixes, nonalcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages under 20% alcohol, yogurts, puddings, cereals (not extruded), dressings, sauces and others in 21 CFR 73.530. | Objections filed March 11, 2026 cited cumulative exposure and cadmium. FDA gave no date for a decision. | Food Business News (Apr 3, 2026) |
- Color
- Galdieria extract blue21 CFR 73.167Red microalga Galdieria sulphuraria
- Decision
- Listed May 12, 2025. Effective June 26, 2025, confirmed Aug 21, 2025.
- Status
- In effect
- Permitted uses
- Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage bases; fruit and vegetable juices; fruit drinks and smoothies; dairy-based beverages; hard candy, soft candy and chewing gum; flavored frostings; ice cream and frozen dairy desserts; yogurt; gelatin desserts, puddings and custards; whipped cream; frozen fruits, water ices and popsicles; breakfast cereal coatings; creamers; dairy and non-dairy whipped toppings.
- Limits
- Good manufacturing practice. Not in foods with a standard of identity unless the standard allows added color.
- Color
- Butterfly pea flower extract (expanded uses)21 CFR 73.69Flowers of Clitoria ternatea
- Decision
- Expansion listed May 2025.
- Status
- In effect
- Permitted uses
- Alcoholic beverages; sports and energy drinks; flavored and sparkling water; juices, smoothies and grain-based drinks; nutritional beverages; sodas; teas; dairy and plant-based drinks; liquid coffee creamers; ice cream and frozen desserts; candy and chewing gum; coated nuts; yogurt fruit preparations; cereals; crackers, snack mixes, pretzels and several types of chips.
- Limits
- Good manufacturing practice. Not in foods with a standard of identity unless the standard allows added color.
- Color
- Calcium phosphate21 CFR 73.80Mineral
- Decision
- Listed May 2025.
- Status
- In effect
- Permitted uses
- Ready-to-eat chicken products; white candy melts; doughnut sugar; sugar for coated candies.
- Limits
- Ready-to-eat chicken: up to 1.5% by weight. White candy melts: up to 0.25%. Doughnut sugar: up to 2.0%. Sugar for coated candies: up to 5.25%.
- Color
- Gardenia (genipin) blue21 CFR 73.168Gardenia fruit (Gardenia jasminoides)
- Decision
- Listed July 15, 2025. Effective Aug 29, 2025.
- Status
- In effect
- Permitted uses
- Sport drinks; flavored or enhanced noncarbonated water; fruit drinks and ades; ready-to-drink teas; hard candy; soft candy.
- Limits
- Good manufacturing practice. Not in foods with a standard of identity unless the standard allows added color. Carbonated soft drinks are not on the list.
- Color
- Beetroot red21 CFR 73.39Fermentation with a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) engineered to make betanin, the pigment in red beets (Phytolon)
- Decision
- Listed Feb 6, 2026 (91 FR 5295). Effective date delayed indefinitely Mar 20, 2026 (91 FR 13965).
- Status
- Delayed
- Permitted uses
- Human foods generally, once an effective date is set.
- Limits
- Not in USDA-regulated meat, poultry or egg products, infant formula, or foods with a standard of identity unless the standard allows added color. Not usable until FDA publishes a new effective date; none had published as of Oct 31, 2026.
- Color
- Spirulina extract (expansion to all foods)21 CFR 73.530Arthrospira platensis (spirulina)
- Decision
- Expansion listed Feb 6, 2026 (91 FR 5291). Effective date delayed indefinitely Mar 20, 2026 (91 FR 13966).
- Status
- Delayed
- Permitted uses
- The expansion would cover all foods except infant formula and certain USDA-regulated foods. Until it takes effect, the earlier listed uses apply: confections, frostings, ice cream, beverage mixes, nonalcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages under 20% alcohol, yogurts, puddings, cereals (not extruded), dressings, sauces and others in 21 CFR 73.530.
- Limits
- Objections filed March 11, 2026 cited cumulative exposure and cadmium. FDA gave no date for a decision.
Need a blue for an acidic drink? Read Natural blue in acidic beverages.
InfoOTHER Natural Flavors is a service of Xponent21 Inc. We share public information and introductions. We do not give legal or regulatory advice and do not guarantee that any color or flavor will perform in your product. Confirm regulatory status with counsel and test every formulation. Sources and the date we last checked them are listed on each page.