Food safety experts urge monitoring of natural colorant transition

The Association for Accessible and Quality Food (ЗДКХ) is calling on Europe and Bulgaria to closely monitor the global transition from synthetic to natural food colorants. This call follows recent regulatory developments in the United States, where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received three new petitions regarding the use and production of natural alternatives.

The petitions involve gardenia blue (genipin blue), safflower extract, and changes to carrot oil production. If approved, these substances could be used in a wider range of products, including beverages, dairy, confectionery, snacks, sauces, and soups.

While the shift toward natural ingredients is viewed as a positive trend, experts warn that a natural origin does not automatically guarantee safety. The association emphasizes that all new colorants must undergo rigorous scientific assessment, focusing on purity, permissible quantities, manufacturing processes, and the presence of contaminants or heavy metals. For instance, proposals for gardenia blue include reducing allowable arsenic levels from 2 ppm to 1 ppm, and carrot oil production changes involve scrutiny of solvents and heavy metal limits.