Last year, FDA permitted spirulina for coloring of candies. This year, the agency is extending the use to food products.
Thanks to a helpful petition from colors supplier GNT USA (Tarrytown, NY), FDA now permits spirulina as a colorant of food products. The rule is effective as of last Tuesday, and it overrides previous legislation that restricted spirulina as a colorant to candies and gums.
Spirulina can now be used as a safe and effective colorant in frostings, ice cream and frozen desserts, dessert coatings and toppings, beverage mixes and powders, yogurts, custards, puddings, cottage cheese, gelatin, breadcrumbs, and ready-to-eat cereals (excluding extruded cereals).
Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a cyanobacterium that is often harvested in open-air ponds. As its name suggests, the ingredient has blue and green pigment, and experts can extract these pigments for a diverse portfolio of blues and greens. But while the latest spirulina permissions are understandably exciting for many manufacturers, GNT USA reminds us that spirulina coloring is not entirely new to market. The ingredient has long been used in Europe, where it is considered a “colouring food.” In fact, GNT says it developed its spirulina coloring over 20 years ago.
FDA’s decision to authorize spirulina may have been slowed by a question of whether or not spirulina is an allergen-a topic that came up during the candies rule last summer. In reviewing known protein allergens and phycocyanin (the coloring component in spirulina), FDA determined that “there is a low probability” of spirulina being an allergen when used to the extent of coloring. “We are not aware of any information that would cause us to change this conclusion,” the agency said.
Robby Gardnerâ¨
Associate Editorâ¨
Nutritional Outlook magazineâ¨
robby.gardner@ubm.com
Judge denies CRN’s motion for preliminary injunction but its lawsuit against NY state will proceed
April 23rd 2024The judge in CRN's lawsuit against NY state's law banning the sale of weight management and muscle building supplements to minors has denied its motion for a preliminary injunction, but determined that CRN has standing to sue on behalf of its members.
CRN NY State lawsuit update: Dispatch from SupplySide East 2024
April 18th 2024CRN's Steve Mister updates Nutritional Outlook about its ongoing litigation against NY State. The organization sued the state to prevent the enforcement of law that bans sale of weight management supplements to minors.
U.S. Hemp Authority announces Adult Use Hemp Product Certification Program
April 15th 2024The U.S. Hemp Authority (USHA) has announced the launch of its Adult Use Hemp Product Certification Program in an effort to “reshape public policy around hemp, and to build confidence among retailers and consumers alike.”