Color Additives in Food
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Chapter VII, Section 721), color additives are subject to FDA approval before they may be used in food. In the approval process, the agency evaluates scientific data to ensure that a color additive is safe for its intended purposes. Any food that contains an unapproved color additive would be considered adulterated under U.S. law and would be subject to enforcement action to remove it from commerce.
The following resources are related to the use of color additives in FDA-regulated food products.
Resources
- Overview of Food Ingredients, Additives, and Colors
Summary of Color Additives for Use in the United States in Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices - Consumer Update: How Safe Are Color Additives?
Color Additives: Questions and Answers for Consumers Consumer Information: Additives & Ingredients - Color Additive Information for Industry
Color Additive Status List - Food and Color Additive Final Rules by Year
Guidance for Industry
Guidance for Industry: Colored Sea Salt Guidance for Industry: Pre-Petition Consultations for Food Additives and Color Additives Guidance for Industry: Color Additive Petitions - FDA Recommendations for Submission of Chemical and Technological Data on Color Additives for Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, or Medical Devices Guidance for Industry: Preparing a Color Additive Petition for Submission to the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition for Color Additives Used in or on Contact Lenses - More Color Additive Guidance for Industry