Color Additive

A color additive is any dye, pigment, or substance that can impart color when added or applied to a food, drug, or cosmetic, or to the human body. These substances can be derived from natural sources, such as plants, minerals, or insects, or they can be synthetically produced.

Manufacturers add color additives to foods for several reasons, including to enhance natural colors, provide identity to certain flavors, and compensate for color loss due to processing, storage, or exposure to light and air. They are commonly found in a wide range of processed foods, including snacks, beverages, candies, and baked goods.

In the United States, the FDA approves color additives for use in food. In January 2025, FDA revoked the approval of Red 3 for use in food, with manufacturers having until January 2027 to comply. In April 2025, FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Citrus Red 2, and Orange B. Titanium dioxide remains permitted by FDA as a color additive. Many individual color additives have been evaluated by international bodies like JECFA and European bodies like EFSA. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential link between certain synthetic food colors and hyperactivity in some children, though scientific evidence on this topic is mixed.