Us Certified Food Colors

US Certified Food Colors are synthetic color additives, meaning they are manufactured in a laboratory rather than being derived from natural sources. These colors are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food products.

Manufacturers add these colors to foods to enhance visual appeal, restore color lost during processing, or ensure a consistent appearance. They are commonly found in candies, baked goods, beverages, and other processed foods.

In the US, these colors are approved by the FDA as color additives. The FDA revoked Red 3 for food use in January 2025, with manufacturers having until January 2027 to comply. The FDA also announced a plan in April 2025 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. Some studies have suggested a link between synthetic food colors and hyperactivity in some sensitive children, but the evidence is mixed, and regulatory bodies like the FDA state the evidence is not conclusive for the general population. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated many individual synthetic food colors and, for most, have set an acceptable daily intake.