Garlic Powder And Artificial Color

Garlic powder is made by drying and grinding garlic cloves into a fine powder. Artificial colors are synthetic substances created in laboratories, not derived from natural sources.

Garlic powder is used to add a savory, pungent flavor to a wide variety of foods. Artificial colors are added to enhance the visual appeal of foods, to replace colors lost during processing, or to provide a distinctive color.

Garlic powder is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. Artificial colors are approved by the FDA for use in food. While some studies have explored potential links between artificial colors and hyperactivity in children, the evidence is mixed, and the FDA continues to review scientific data. JECFA has evaluated many individual artificial colors and established acceptable daily intakes. In April 2025, the 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. The FDA also revoked Red 3 for food use in January 2025.