As Colorant

Food colorants are substances added to food to give it color or to restore color lost during processing. They can come from natural sources like plants or minerals, or they can be made synthetically.

Manufacturers add colorants to make food more visually appealing, enhance natural colors, or provide color to otherwise colorless foods. They are found in a wide variety of products, including beverages, candies, baked goods, snacks, and processed foods like noodles and salad dressings.

In the United States, all color additives used in food must be approved by the FDA. Some are 'certified' synthetic colors, while others are 'exempt from certification' and are often derived from natural sources. The FDA announced a plan in April 2025 to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Citrus Red 2, Orange B). Additionally, the FDA revoked the use of Red 3 for food in January 2025, with manufacturers having until January 2027 to comply. Titanium dioxide remains permitted by FDA as a color additive and is not part of the synthetic dye phase-out.