The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Gardenia blue colour additive, while encouraging faster phase-out of FD&C Red No. 3.

Gardenia Blue Interest Group (GBIG) had launched a colour additive petition to use the colour gardenia (genipin) blue in various foods, at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice. Yesterday this was approved by the FDA. It is the fourth colour derived from natural sources approved by the FDA for use in foods in the last two months.

The FDA action is in line with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s priority to work with industry to phase out the use of all synthetic, petroleum-based dyes from the nation’s food supply as part of the administration’s broader effort to Make America Healthy Again.

Since Secretary Kennedy announced a series of measures in April to work with industry to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in food, about 40 percent of the food industry has committed to a voluntary phase-out of such dyes.

“Every day, children are exposed to synthetic chemicals in food that serve no purpose and threaten their health,” Secretary Kennedy said. “The FDA’s approval of gardenia blue shows we’re finally putting kids first. Thanks to Dr. Marty Makary’s bold leadership, we’re cutting through industry influence and taking decisive action to Make America Healthy Again.”

Gardenia (genipin) blue is derived from the fruit of the gardenia, a flowering evergreen. The FDA has approved the colour additive for use in sports drinks, flavoured or enhanced non-carbonated water, fruit drinks and ades, ready-to-drink teas, hard candy, and soft candy.

“This expedited timeline underscored our serious intent to transition away from petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the food supply, said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “Now, by expanding the palette of available colours derived from natural sources, food manufacturers have a variety of options available that will make it easier to end their use of petroleum-based dyes.”