Food coloring, color additive or colorant is any dye, pigment, or substance that imparts color when it is added to food or beverages. Colorants can be supplied as liquids, powders, gels, or pastes. Food coloring is commonly used in commercial products and in domestic cooking.Food colorants are also used in various non-food applications, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, home craft projects, and medical devices.
Some colorings may be natural, such as with carotenoids and anthocyanins extracted from plants or cochineal from insects, or may be synthesized, such as tartrazine yellow.In the manufacturing of foods, beverages and cosmetics, the safety of colorants is under constant scientific review and certification by national regulatory agencies, such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and by international reviewers, such as the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. February 21, 2026 -The FDA in early February announced it would allow food makers to claim “no artificial colors” as long as the dyes are not petroleum-based, but health experts say even some naturally based additives present health risks, and the labeling ... In 1906, Congress passed theFoodand Drugs Act, which prohibited the use of poisonous or deleterious colors in confectionery and thecoloringor staining offoodto conceal damage or...
Apr 23, 2025 ·Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr announced plans to remove certain artificial dyes from the U.S.foodand drug supply, taking a step toward fulfilling one of his campaign promises. Jul 30, 2025 ·Fueled by MAHA, state lawmakers are moving to remove dyes and other additives fromfood.
A wide range of statelawscould make it difficult for manufacturers and could spur further federal... The legal definition can be found in Section 201(t) of the FederalFood, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and provides exclusions as well.Coloradditives for use infood, drugs, and cosmetics require premarket approval. The FDA is revoking the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No.
3 as a matter of law, based on the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The FDA is amending its color additive regulations to no longer allow for the use of FD&C Red No. February 16, 2026 -This enforcement discretion does not change the underlying law, however – though FDA has signaled that it will not enforceSection 403(a)(1)for labeling claims covered by the guidance under certain conditions,Section 403(a)(1)still prohibits ...
January 16, 2025 -By 1930, these tests and enforcement ofthe Pure Food and Drugs Actbecame the responsibility of the National Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - which had previously been named the Bureau of Chemistry and was part of the U.S. Department of ... 2 weeks ago -As part of this effort, the FDA is working closely with food manufacturers, retailers, and trade associations to eliminate six remaining certified color additives frequently used in the food supply - FD&C Green No.
3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No.
