The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its policy on the voluntary food-label claim “no artificial colors”, making it easier for consumers to understand what the wording actually means. Announced on February 5, 2026, the change allows manufacturers to use the claim when a product contains only naturally derived color ingredients, while foods made with certified petroleum-based synthetic dyes cannot use it. The FDA says the goal is to reduce confusion and encourage greater transparency on grocery shelves.
The revised approach reflects growing demand for simpler ingredient labels and comes as many major food companies are already replacing synthetic dyes with alternatives made from fruits, vegetables and other natural sources. At the same time, the agency continues to regulate all approved food color additives for safety, regardless of whether they are natural or synthetic.
What has changed?
Under previous FDA guidance, manufacturers generally could not describe a product as containing “no artificial colors” if any coloring ingredient had been added, even when that color came from natural sources such as beet juice or vegetable extracts. The FDA has now said it will exercise enforcement discretion, allowing the claim when products do not contain certified petroleum-based color additives.
That means foods colored with ingredients such as beetroot, paprika, turmeric, spirulina extract, fruit juice concentrates or other approved naturally derived color sources may now qualify for the claim. Products containing synthetic dyes like FD&C Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 or Blue No. 1 remain ineligible.
- A product may still contain added coloring while legally stating “no artificial colors” if those colors come from natural sources.
- Foods containing certified petroleum-based synthetic dyes cannot make that claim under the FDA’s updated policy.
- The ingredient list remains the most reliable way to identify exactly which color additives are used.
Why the update matters
The FDA says the revised interpretation is intended to make food labels easier for consumers to understand. Agency officials acknowledged that describing naturally sourced colors as “artificial” often created confusion for shoppers and discouraged companies from replacing petroleum-based dyes with alternative ingredients.
The announcement forms part of a broader federal effort encouraging manufacturers to move away from synthetic petroleum-based food colors. Alongside the labeling update, the FDA approved beetroot red as a new food color option and expanded approved uses for spirulina extract, giving manufacturers more naturally derived alternatives.
Natural colors are not the same as healthier food
Nutrition experts caution that the new labeling guidance should not be viewed as a measure of a product’s overall nutritional quality. A snack or cereal made with vegetable-based coloring may still contain significant amounts of added sugar, sodium or refined carbohydrates. The updated guidance changes how color ingredients may be described on packaging—it does not rate a food’s healthfulness.
Consumers comparing products should continue looking beyond front-of-package claims by reviewing nutrition labels, serving sizes and complete ingredient lists before making purchasing decisions.
What shoppers may see next
As manufacturers continue reformulating products, more foods may begin displaying “no artificial colors” while using naturally derived ingredients for appearance. Some companies have already announced plans to reduce synthetic dyes across portions of their product lines, and packaging updates are expected to appear gradually as inventories change. :contentReference[oaicite:7]
If you’re following food labeling and ingredient transparency issues, you may also find this related report useful: Costco rotisserie chicken lawsuit over “no preservatives” claim .
Consumers looking for the official policy and educational material can visit the FDA’s resource page: FDA Color Additives Information for Consumers .
The FDA’s updated guidance is designed to make one of the most common food-label claims easier to interpret. While the policy does not determine whether a food is healthy, it provides a clearer distinction between products colored with naturally derived ingredients and those that continue to use certified petroleum-based synthetic dyes, helping consumers make more informed choices at the grocery store.
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