The FDA's regulatory change enables no artificial colours claims and expands natural colour approvals, supporting industry shift away from petroleum-based synthetic food dyes.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced new measures to accelerate the shift away from petroleum-based synthetic colours, combining revised artificial labelling flexibility with approvals for additional naturally derived colour additives.
Manufacturers may now use ‘no artificial colors’ claims on products made without petroleum-based colours, even when colours from natural sources are present. Previously, regulations generally limited such claims to products containing no added colours at all. The US regulator outlined its intention to exercise enforcement discretion on these voluntary claims in a letter issued to industry.
Alongside the artificial colours labelling change, the FDA approved beetroot red as a new colour additive and authorised expanded use of spirulina extract. Initiated through two petitions, the decisions expand the range of alternatives available to manufacturers and bring the number of new colour options approved under the current administration to six.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said:
This is real progress.
We are making it easier for companies to move away from petroleum-based synthetic colours and adopt safer, naturally derived alternatives. This momentum advances our broader effort to help Americans eat real food and Make America Healthy Again.”
Removing barriers to natural colour adoption
The revised approach removes a long-standing regulatory complication that limited how products using natural pigments could be positioned on pack, particularly as consumer demand for simpler ingredient lists grows.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary explained:
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.
We’re taking away that hindrance and making it easier for companies to use these colours in the foods our families eat every day.”
The measures build on earlier federal action. In April 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FDA launched a coordinated effort to phase out petroleum-based synthetic colours from the US food supply and continue to publicly track industry commitments.
Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, Kyle Diamantas, added:
We are working diligently to facilitate industry’s phase out of petroleum-based colours and speed up authorisations for colours that are derived from alternative sources.
The actions announced today give companies even more ways to transition to the use of alternative colours derived from natural sources.”
The FDA also reiterated that manufacturers remain responsible for ensuring the safety and purity of authorised colour additives. In an additional letter to the industry, the agency highlighted technical and regulatory resources intended to support manufacturers and colour additive producers in maintaining required safety and quality standards.
