The U.S. federal government is taking steps to eliminate the use of artificials due to health concerns. In the meantime, the food industry is doing their darndest to find natural alternatives. The Department of Health and Human Services, alongside the FDA, has initiated efforts to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the American food supply. In recent years, major new studies have uncovered alarming health risks from synthetic dyes. These risks, such as allergic reactions and developmental problems in children, led to this momentous move.
The Shift from Synthetic to Natural Dyes
Over the years, the FDA has officially banned or revoked approval for many artificial colorants. For one, they’re demanding that manufacturers phase out the use of Red No. 3 and Red No. 2 by the end of 2026. Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, and Blue No. 1 face elimination. This effort is indicative of increasing alarm about the safety of these synthetic dyes.
The FDA spokesperson remarked on the health implications of synthetic dyes: “These synthetic dyes, long used in food products, have been linked to serious health risks, including allergic reactions and developmental issues such as ADHD, particularly in our nation’s children.” As lawmakers race to enact fundamental change, natural options are emerging as one key area of focus.
Of all these alternatives, butterfly pea flower extract really stands out, thanks to its trippy-chic coloration flip. It’s an incredible indicator – it changes color depending on the acidity of other ingredients. This unique versatility gives food manufacturers the ability to produce visually striking products without the use of synthetic dyes. At the same time, Galdieria extract, which comes from algae, provides a vivid blue hue that has already taken off in Asia.
Galdieria Extract: A Promising Yet Unapproved Option
In fact, Galdieria extract is widely used as a blue food colorant across many Asian markets. Up until now, it has not been approved by U.S. regulators. French bioengineering company Fermentalg is already in the final stages of gaining FDA approval for its algae-based blue dye. If it proves successful, this breakthrough could be transformative and could change the whole industry. This way, manufacturers could avoid toxic pigments and still meet consumer demand for exciting colors.
Beauty insiders warn that natural dyes don’t come with the same punch as their synthetic counterparts. In advance of any purchasing decisions, consumers need to consider this issue. Martin Bucknavage, a senior food safety specialist at Penn State University College of Agricultural Sciences, noted that “the colors are not going to be as vibrant, in a lot of cases, as what we had before.” This gap will likely continue to be an obstacle for producers attempting to meet regulation and consumer-driven standards.
Allergies and Nutritional Considerations
Although the shift to natural dyes is encouraging, the process is complicated. There could be allergic reactions to natural dyes, said Martin Bucknavage. This wrinkle makes the regulatory environment all the more complicated as businesses forge ahead with consumer-safety innovations like introducing new colorants.
Melissa Wright cautions that natural dyes can be deceptively marketed as healthier alternatives. Because they’re typically applied in such microscopic quantities, consumers can’t count on any valiant nutritional perk from these vegan dyes. “Those Maraschino cherries are going to stay red forever,” added Gabriel Keith Harris, a professor of food science at North Carolina State University, underscoring the limitations of natural dyes in maintaining vivid colors in products traditionally made with synthetic dyes.
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