The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just approved a new food additive: gardenia (genipin) blue. It can be used in sports drinks, flavored or enhanced non-carbonated water, fruit drinks and ades, ready-to-drink teas, as well as hard and soft candy.

The move comes about two months after the FDA approved Galdieria extract blue, calcium phosphate, and butterfly pea flower extract, in an attempt to phase out petroleum-based dyes from the nation’s food supply.

“The FDA's approval likely reflects a response to consumer demand for more natural food coloring options,” says Daniel S. Ganjian, MD, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California. “These additives are derived from natural sources—algae and a flower—which differentiates them from many synthetic food dyes that are chemically manufactured.”

But what do we know about the roots and safety of the new FDA-approved food additives? Experts share their thoughts on the FDA’s decisions and offer guidance on how parents can select safe, nourishing foods for their children.

The word “additives” gets thrown around a lot when discussing food (and body care products, for that matter). It might be helpful to have a primer or reminder on what experts refer to as additives.

“​​Food additives are substances added to food to perform specific functions, such as enhancing flavor, color, texture, or preserving freshness,” Dr. Ganjian says. “They help maintain consistency, improve appearance, and extend shelf life.”

However, recent data has pointed to a potential link between synthetic food dyes and behavioral issues and developmental delays in children.

"While not all experts agree on the level of harm, one thing is clear: These petroleum-based dyes don’t offer any health benefit," says Don Thushara Galbadage, PhD, MPH, an associate professor at Texas Christian University and an expert on food additives and dyes.

And that’s a key objective of the FDA’s approval of these new additives. “This approval will hopefully make it easier for food companies to use them in their products," says Sotiria Everett, EdD, RD, CDN, CSSD, a clinical assistant professor at Stony Brook Medicine.

The FDA-approved gardenia (genipin) blue, Galdieria extract blue, calcium phosphate, and butterfly pea flower extract are not petroleum-based. Some already serve purposes in commonly used items. Here's the breakdown.

This is a natural blue food color additive derived from the gardenia fruit. This is already widely used in Asia for food products, such as frozen desserts, jams, baked good, and beverages. Research has found it is not carcinogenic, even in high doses.

Galdieria extract blue comes from Galdieria sulphuraria, a species of red algae, explains Dr. Everett. The FDA approved its use in numerous foods, including fruit smoothies, juices, milkshakes, candy, yogurt drinks, and other processed foods.

Dr. Everett shares that studies in rats didn’t show adverse effects in daily doses of 4,000 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight and says the estimated exposure to Galdieria extract blue will be far less (325 to 525 milligrams per kilogram daily).

The FDA and outside experts currently recognize Galdieria extract blue as generally safe.

Butterfly pea flower extract is an additive used to color foods various shades of blue, purple, and green, explains Anthony Hudson, MD, FAAP, ABOM, a pediatrician with Manning Family Children's in New Orleans.

“It is produced through the water extraction of the dried flower petals of the butterfly pea plant,” Dr. Hudson says.

Dr. Everett notes that you and your children may have already had foods and drinks with this food additive. It is already in certain foods and beverages, like:

“The FDA approval will expand its use to ready-to-eat cereals, crackers, snack mixes, hard pretzels, plain potato chips, corn chips, tortilla chips, and multigrain chips,” Dr. Everett says.

She notes that the Taiwanese government issued a warning in 2019 about using butterfly pea extract in large quantities, with side effects potentially including nausea and diarrhea. However, the Taiwanese government said it could be used in the minimum amount to achieve the desired color. Dr. Galbadage also says butterfly pea flower extract is generally considered safe as a food additive in small quantities.

Calcium phosphate is a white, naturally occurring mineral compound that Dr. Ganjian says is also used as a food additive.

“It serves multiple purposes, including as an anticaking agent, a source of calcium, and to modify texture,” Dr. Ganjian says.

You also may use it to clean food off your teeth—calcium phosphate is commonly used in toothpastes, explains Lacy Puttuck, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching. 

“It’s not new, as this additive has been in baby formulas and cereals for years and is usually recognized as safe,” Dr. Galbadage adds. “Now, it’s approved for things like doughnut sugar, white candy melts, and some ready-to-eat meats.”

While some changes take significant time, experts believe parents will begin to see these items on more food labels soon. But the full effects are likely at least a year away.

“The FDA has set a timeline for phasing out synthetic dyes, and companies are already responding,” Dr. Galbadage says. “Some major brands have committed to removing artificial dyes by the end of next year. That means by 2026, your child’s cereal, snacks, and even yogurts may still be colorful, but with more natural ingredients behind their color.”

How can parents navigate the grocery store in the meantime, and even after the new additives become more prevalent? 

Trust your eyes when deciding what to put in your mouth and gut.

“Read the ingredients list of food products,” suggests Puttuck. “Make sure you can read and understand all of the ingredients in a food. This will allow you to make more informed choices for your family.”

“Natural” doesn’t always mean “healthiest” or “without any risk." Candy and chips with butterfly pea flower still may have more than the daily recommended values of sugar and salt, for instance.

Dr. Hudson suggests consuming a diet of single-ingredient foods, like an apple, broccoli, and unprocessed proteins, including legumes, and omega-3-packed fish, such as salmon, without tons of salt.  

“Children will follow their caregivers’ example,” Dr. Hudson says. “If the caregivers prepare single-ingredient foods at home and include the children in the growing or purchasing of food and the preparation of the food, they too will eat healthy options.”

Repeat after us: You cannot control what your child eats at a birthday party or eats out of a goody bag on the carpool ride home.

“It is hard to completely eliminate these foods, especially in many social occasions, such as birthday parties, movie outings, and other events that families enjoy,” Dr. Everett says.

She suggests focusing on practical steps and balance. Swapping foods with “unnaturally bright colors” like chips for crunchy veggies and hummus at meals and for snacks, is one way to bump items with synthetic dyes into the “sometimes” territory. Also, whole fruits like watermelon have natural but not added sugars, as many juices do.

“Stay informed but maintain perspective,” Dr. Ganjian agrees. “Keep up with information from reputable sources like the FDA, but remember that the agency has processes in place to ensure the safety of approved additives. Avoid unnecessary anxiety and focus on a balanced and varied diet.”