FDA Approves Gardenia Blue: What It Means for Your Family

In a significant move for families and food transparency advocates, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Gardenia (Genipin) Blue as the latest natural food dye for use in products like sports drinks, flavored waters, teas, and candies.

Synthetic food dyes include petroleum based dyes such as Citrus Red No. 2, a color additive that has been used to color orange peels and other food products. The FDA regulates each color additive for safety and use in food products, and some color additives, like those used to color orange peels, have faced increased scrutiny and regulatory action due to health concerns.

This is part of a broader FDA initiative to phase out synthetic, petroleum-based food dyes from the U.S. food supply, a change that’s been years in the making and is now gaining (some) momentum.

Why the Change?

• Health Concerns: Synthetic dyes, such as Red No. 3 and others, have been linked to potential health risks, especially for children, including behavioral and cognitive issues. Safety concerns have prompted regulatory reviews and have led to food products starting to use more natural dyes.

• Consumer Demand: Shoppers, especially health-conscious parents, are looking for more transparency and safer, natural ingredients in their foods.

• Regulatory Push: The FDA, under the current administration, is encouraging (but not mandating) food manufacturers to voluntarily replace artificial dyes with natural alternatives. Ongoing safety concerns are a key driver for this encouragement. This means the transition is gradual and relies on industry cooperation rather than enforceable bans.

What’s New: Gardenia Blue and Other Approved Natural Dyes

Gardenia Blue joins a short list of FDA-approved natural colorants, including:

• Galdieria extract blue (from algae)

• Butterfly pea flower extract (expanded uses)

• Calcium phosphate (white colorant)

These approvals are intended to give food manufacturers more options as they reformulate products to meet new consumer and regulatory expectations.

Where Will You See Gardenia Blue?

Gardenia Blue is now authorized for use in:

• Sports drinks

• Flavored or enhanced non-carbonated waters

• Fruit drinks and fruit “-ades”

• Ready-to-drink teas

• Hard and soft candies

How WISEcode Empowers You Today

WISEcode’s mission is to unleash the power of your food choices to improve your life. We believe you deserve “truth in every bite”, not just when regulations catch up, but every time you shop.

Ultra-Processed Foods and Additives: The Hidden Connection

Ultra-processed foods have become a staple in many diets, but their convenience often comes with a hidden cost: a high load of food additives. These foods—ranging from packaged snacks to ready-to-eat meals—are made using industrial processes that strip away natural ingredients and replace them with additives like artificial dyes, preservatives, and texturizers. Food manufacturers rely on these substances to create appealing colors, flavors, and longer shelf lives in their products.

However, the widespread use of artificial dyes and other additives in ultra-processed foods has sparked health concerns. Research has linked frequent consumption of these foods to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and other chronic health issues. Additives such as titanium dioxide, azo dyes, and artificial colors have been associated with adverse effects on human health, particularly in children, who may be more sensitive to these substances.

In response to these concerns, the FDA has started approving more natural alternatives, such as gardenia blue, a blue color derived from the fruit of the gardenia plant. These natural dyes offer food manufacturers safer options for coloring food products without relying on synthetic chemicals. Still, more scientific evidence is needed to fully understand the long-term impact of various food additives on the general population.

The Catch: The FDA’s Approach Is Voluntary, Not Immediate

While the FDA’s direction is clear, the agency is not enforcing a strict ban on synthetic dyes. Instead, it’s relying on voluntary compliance from food manufacturers, meaning synthetic dyes can still be present on store shelves for years to come.

• Red Dye 3: The FDA has revoked authorization, but the phase-out deadline is as late as 2027–2028 for some products, and the agency is only encouraging faster removal.

Why Wait for Industry to Catch Up?

While the FDA’s efforts are a step in the right direction, the reality is that synthetic dyes will remain in many foods for years. WISEcode bridges the gap, giving you the power to:

• Avoid unwanted additives today.

• Make confident, fast decisions in the aisle.

• Support your family’s health and values, on your terms.

Why Transparency Matters for Your Family

For Millennial Moms and primary grocery shoppers, the stakes are high:

• Hidden Ingredients: Synthetic dyes and other additives often hide behind long and confusing labels.

• Allergen and Sensitivity Risks: Children and adults can react differently to certain dyes.

• Time Pressure: Busy families don’t have hours to decode ingredient lists in the grocery aisle.

Understanding Types of Color Additives

Color additives play a crucial role in the modern food supply, giving everything from soft candy to fruit drinks their vibrant hues. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carefully regulates these substances to ensure that food manufacturers use only safe and approved ingredients in food products.

There are two main categories of color additives: natural and artificial. Natural color additives are derived from natural sources such as plants, minerals, and even some animals. Examples include butterfly pea flower extract, which provides a striking blue color, grape skin extract for purples and reds, and beta-carotene, the pigment that gives carrots and some fruit juice their orange hue. These natural dyes are often favored by consumers seeking cleaner labels and more transparency in their food ingredients.

On the other hand, artificial color additives, sometimes called coal tar colors, are synthesized from raw materials obtained from coal tar or petroleum. Common examples include FD&C Red No. 40 and Brilliant Blue FCF, which are widely used to create uniform color in a variety of foods. While these artificial dyes have been a staple in the food industry for decades, growing concerns about their potential health effects have led to increased scrutiny.

The FDA maintains a permitted list of color additives, both natural and artificial, that are approved for use in food products. Food manufacturers must adhere to strict guidelines regarding the types and maximum amounts of these additives, ensuring that every batch meets safety standards before reaching consumers. As food science advances and consumer preferences shift, the FDA continues to review and update its regulations to keep America healthy and informed.

The Future of Food Transparency

The FDA’s approval of Gardenia Blue marks progress toward a cleaner, more transparent food system. Regulatory bodies such as the European Union and its member states have also taken steps to regulate or ban certain synthetic food dyes, often based on safety assessments. Color additives are not only used in food, but also in cosmetics and medical devices, and these uses are subject to similar safety reviews and regulatory oversight.

But everyone’s food priorities are different, and the government cannot appease everyone’s dietary preferences at the same time.

Don’t wait for change. You can shop smarter, eat better, and love food today, with WISEcode.