FDA Overhauls Food Labeling Rules, Greenlights New Natural Dyes in Landmark Move Away from Petroleum-Based Colors
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FDA Overhauls Food Labeling Rules, Greenlights New Natural Dyes in Landmark Move Away from Petroleum-Based Colors
WASHINGTON (Feb, 2026)— In a sweeping policy shift aimed at modernizing the U.S. food supply, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that food manufacturers can now label products as containing “No Artificial Colors” even if they use dyes derived from natural sources—a move that reverses decades of strict labeling restrictions.
Simultaneously, the agency approved beetroot red as a new color additive and significantly expanded the permitted use of spirulina extract, marking the fifth and sixth new natural color options greenlit under the current administration. The dual announcements, sent directly to industry stakeholders via a formal letter, signal the most aggressive federal effort to date to phase out synthetic, petroleum-based dyes in favor of plant- and mineral-based alternatives.
A New Definition of ‘Artificial’
Historically, FDA guidelines strictly limited “No Artificial Colors” claims to products with absolutely no added coloring of any kind—natural or synthetic. Under the new policy of “enforcement discretion,” the FDA will not penalize companies that use colors like carrot juice, turmeric, or the newly approved beetroot red while marketing their products as free of artificial colors.
“We acknowledge that calling colors derived from natural sources ‘artificial’ might be confusing for consumers and a hindrance for companies,” 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 colors in the foods our families eat every day.”
The Background: A Push to Purge Petroleum
The policy shift is the latest salvo in a broader federal initiative launched in April 2025 aimed at eliminating all petroleum-based synthetic colors from the national food supply. For decades, dyes such as Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1—derived from petroleum distillates—have dominated the food industry due to their stability and low cost. However, growing bodies of research linking synthetic dyes to behavioral issues in children, coupled with consumer demand for cleaner ingredient labels, have accelerated the search for alternatives.
Until now, manufacturers faced a labeling paradox: switching to natural colors often forced them to remove “No Artificial Colors” claims from packaging, inadvertently making their products appear less "clean" than competing items still using petrochemical dyes. The FDA’s new stance removes this commercial disadvantage.
New Colors on the Block
The two newly authorized additives directly respond to industry petitions seeking viable alternatives to synthetic reds and blues:
- Beetroot Red: Derived from red beets, this additive provides a vibrant red hue and is now approved for broader categories including baked goods, dairy products, and confections.
- Spirulina Extract Expansion: Previously restricted to specific uses like chewing gum and candy, the blue-green algae extract can now be used in a wider array of applications including cereals, frostings, and frozen desserts.
These additions bring the total number of new natural-origin color options approved since early 2025 to six, providing formulators with a robust toolkit to replace synthetic dyes across nearly every food category.
Industry Responsibility and Consumer Clarity
While easing labeling restrictions, the FDA simultaneously reinforced safety requirements. The agency’s letter reminds manufacturers that while it is accelerating authorization for natural colors, they remain legally responsible for ensuring the safety and purity of these additives.
“We are working diligently to facilitate industry’s phase out of petroleum-based colors and speed up authorizations for colors derived from alternative sources,” said Kyle Diamantas, J.D., Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. “The actions announced today give companies even more ways to transition.”
What This Means for Shoppers
Consumers can expect to see a rapid proliferation of “No Artificial Colors” labels on grocery shelves, even on products that are brightly colored via fruit, vegetable, or algae extracts. The FDA is publicly tracking industry pledges to remove petroleum-based dyes via a new online dashboard, offering transparency on which major brands are transitioning and by what timeline.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hailed the move as a victory for public health. “This momentum advances our broader effort to help Americans eat real food and Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy said.
The new labeling guidance is effective immediately, though the FDA notes it will monitor the market for fraudulent or misleading claims as the transition unfolds.
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Media Contact: FDA Office of Media Affairs | [Link to original FDA bulletin]
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