On May 9, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it granted three new color additive petitions that will expand the palette of available colors from natural sources that can be used safely in food.

The FDA is in line with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s plan to phase out petroleum-based dyes in the nation’s food supply as part of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.

The new color additives consist of Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract and calcium phosphate. Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, color additives are subject to FDA to approval to determine whether they are safe before they may be used in food.

“Today we take a major step to Make America Healthy Again,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “For too long, our food system has relied on synthetic, petroleum-based dyes that offer no nutritional value and pose unnecessary health risks. We’re removing these dyes and approving safe, natural alternatives—to protect families and support healthier choices.”

“On April 22, I said the FDA would soon approve several new color additives and would accelerate our review of others. I’m pleased to report that promises made, have been promises kept,” added FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH. “FDA staff have been moving quickly to expedite the publication of these decisions, underscoring our serious intent to transition away from petroleum-based dyes in the food supply and provide new colors from natural sources.”

Since the HHS-FDA announcement on petroleum-based food dyes, more food manufacturers have committed to removing them by the end of 2026.