The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three new “natural” food colorings that will be used in various foods and drinks, including candies, smoothies, and breakfast cereals. The dyes, which are derived from Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract, and calcium phosphate, have been deemed safe by the agency.
The FDA’s approval process for these new color additives was rigorous, with a focus on ensuring their safety in small amounts used to dye foods. Experts agree that while natural does not always mean safer, there is no indication that these additives are harmful.
Calcium phosphate, which naturally occurs in milk and has been widely used in the US for decades, has been approved as a white coloring for ready-to-eat chicken products, doughnut sugar, and certain candies. Research on calcium phosphate shows it is safe to use, but individuals with kidney stones may need to limit their consumption of foods containing this additive.
Butterfly pea extract, derived from the dried flower petals of the butterfly pea plant, has been approved since 2021 to turn juices, candies, and alcoholic drinks a vibrant blue or green. Studies indicate that there are no safety concerns with this extract, which has been used in Asia for centuries to color foods.
The third additive, Galdieria extract blue, is also safe according to the FDA’s analysis of available research. Derived from a type of algae, it contains the same pigment protein as spirulina extract and was approved by the agency in 2013. This new approval will provide more options for food manufacturers looking to switch from artificial to natural dyes, although some challenges remain due to fading, cost, and compatibility issues.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/well/eat/fda-natural-food-colorings-galdieria-extract-blue-butterfly-pea-flower-extract-calcium-phosphate.html