Color Added

The term "Color Added" refers to any substance used to impart or restore color to food. These substances can come from natural sources, such as plants, minerals, or insects, or they can be synthetic, meaning they are man-made.

Colors are added to foods for several reasons, including making them more appealing, replacing color lost during processing, or ensuring a consistent appearance across different batches. They are commonly found in products like candy, baked goods, beverages, and processed snacks.

The FDA regulates all food colors, requiring pre-market approval for synthetic, 'certified' colors and listing for 'exempt-from-certification' colors derived from natural sources. Some artificial colors have been linked to hyperactivity in some children, though scientific evidence on this link is mixed and continues to be studied. The FDA revoked the approval for Red 3 for use in food in January 2025, with manufacturers having until January 2027 to comply. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out other petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Citrus Red 2, and Orange B. International bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated many food colors, with some setting acceptable daily intakes and others not.