The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new blue food dye derived from the gardenia fruit, marking the fourth natural color additive cleared in just two months. The newly sanctioned dye, known as gardenia (genipin) blue, can be used in sports drinks, flavored waters, fruit drinks, ready-to-drink teas, and both hard and soft candies.
This move is part of a broader push by health officials to phase out synthetic, petroleum-based food dyes. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized the importance of prioritizing children’s health by reducing exposure to unnecessary synthetic chemicals in food. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary noted that the approval gives manufacturers more natural options to replace artificial dyes.
The FDA also urged food makers to accelerate the removal of Red No. 3, a dye linked to cancer in animal studies, ahead of the 2027 deadline. For more details, see the original article at UPI.