Companies can now claim ‘no artificial colors’ if they add plant-based color to food

Associated Press (AP)EN 3 min read 100% complete by By JONEL ALECCIAFebruary 5, 2026 at 11:23 PM

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The FDA announced that food companies can now claim "no artificial colors" on labels even if the products contain plant-based dyes. This relaxes previous rules that only allowed the claim when products had no added color. The change aims to encourage companies to switch from synthetic, petroleum-based dyes to natural alternatives. Health officials hope this will lead to a reduction of synthetic dyes in the food supply, following voluntary efforts by companies and some state-level restrictions. While industry groups praised the move, consumer advocates expressed concern that it could mislead consumers by allowing the claim even with potentially harmful non-synthetic additives. Simultaneously, the FDA approved a new natural dye, beetroot red, and expanded the use of spirulina extract.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Anuj Bag 40% Sarah Gallo 40% Sarah Sorscher 40% Donald Trump 50% PepsiCo 50% Nestle 50% Sensient Technologies Corp. 60% Consumer Brands 60% Center for Science in the Public Interest 60% Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 60% Marty Makary ×260% U.S. Food and Drug Administration ×490%

Keywords

artificial colors 100% fda 90% natural dyes 80% food labels 70% synthetic dyes 70% petroleum-based dyes 60% color additive 60% ingredient safety 50% food supply 50%

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Associated Press (AP)

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artificial colors fda natural dyes food labels synthetic dyes petroleum-based dyes color additive ingredient safety food supply

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