FDA greenlights natural color additives in major push for healthier food choices

• The FDA has approved Galdieria blue extract blue (from algae) and butterfly pea flower extract, expanding their use in various food products including fruit juices, cereals and snacks. Calcium phosphate, a natural compound, has also been approved for use in more food items.
• This approval aligns with a larger effort by the HHS to eliminate artificial, petroleum-based food dyes, which offer no nutritional value and are linked to health risks, particularly in children.
• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary have been vocal advocates for this change. Some food manufacturers, like Tyson Foods, have committed to phasing out synthetic dyes in response to these initiatives.
• The FDA’s approval is based on extensive scientific research and safety assessments. Makary emphasized the agency’s commitment to transitioning away from synthetic dyes and providing natural alternatives.
• The FDA and HHS have announced agreements with food makers to remove eight common artificial dyes over a two-year period, marking a significant step toward healthier food choices.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken a significant step toward reducing the use of artificial food dyes by approving additional natural color additives.

The agency recently approved three natural alternatives to synthetic colors:

• Galdieria blue extract: Derived from algae, this blue colorant is now approved for use in fruit juices, fruit smoothies, candy, chewing gum, breakfast cereals, popsicles and yogurts.
• Butterfly pea flower extract: Already used in a range of products, its use has been expanded to include ready-to-eat cereals, crackers, snack mixes, hard pretzels, plain potato chips, plain corn chips, tortilla chips and multigrain chips.
• Calcium phosphate: A natural compound containing calcium and phosphorus, it has been approved for use in ready-to-eat chicken products, white candy melts, doughnut sugar and sugar for coated candies.

The push for natural color additives is part of a larger effort to make America’s food supply healthier. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal advocate for this change, arguing that synthetic, petroleum-based dyes pose unnecessary health risks and offer no nutritional value.

The approval of these natural color additives is based on extensive scientific research and safety assessments. Nutritionists and dietitians, while divided on the potential harm of synthetic food dyes, agree that they lack nutritional value.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary emphasized the agency’s dedication to this transition. “FDA staff have been moving quickly to expedite the publication of these decisions, underscoring our serious intent to transition away from petroleum-based dyes in the food supply and provide new colors from natural sources,” he said. (Related: Study: Artificial food dyes linked to BEHAVIORAL ISSUES in kids.)

Makary added that the approval of the three natural food color additives served to fulfill his vow of taking out toxic synthetic dyes in the food supply. “On April 22, I said the FDA would soon approve several new color additives and would accelerate our review of others,” he noted. “I’m pleased to report that promises made, have been promises kept.”

Fight to ban synthetic food dyes gains momentum

Kennedy and other officials cite increasing rates of childhood illnesses like obesity, diabetes and ADHD as justification for substituting natural ingredients. Since the health secretary’s call to action, some U.S. food manufacturers have committed to eliminating artificial food dyes. Tyson Foods, for instance, has stated its intention to work toward this goal.

Last month, Kennedy and Makary announced an agreement with food makers to remove eight common artificial dyes from their products over a two-year period. This agreement marks a significant step in the push for healthier food choices.

The debate over the safety and necessity of synthetic food dyes has been ongoing. While some experts argue that synthetic dyes are safe in approved levels, others point to potential health risks, particularly for children.

The FDA’s approval of additional natural color additives marks a significant step toward a healthier food supply. While the debate over the safety and necessity of synthetic dyes continues, the shift toward natural alternatives reflects a growing commitment to making healthier choices for American families.

Check out Ingredients.news for more similar stories.

Watch this FOX 9 report about synthetic food dyes being potentially banned from products.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

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How food companies fool consumers with food coloring ingredients made from petrochemicals.

The dangers of artificial food colors.

Artificial food colors cause hyperactivity in children.

Sources include: 

TheNationalPulse.com

ABCNews.go.com

Axios.com

Brighteon.com