Color Regulations - The Simple Summary

Colors can be broken down into two categories.

Exempt Colors (21CFR Part 73 Subpart A):  Color additives exempt by FDA from batch certification.  Examples of colors in this category include vegetable juice, fruit juice, beta-carotene, etc.  The industry loosely terms these colors natural because most are coming from natural sources.

Certified Colors (21CFR Part 74 Subpart A):  Color additives requiring batch certification by FDA.  This category includes FD&C Colors.  The industry refers to these colors as synthetic or artificial color.

To go to the CFR and view the listing of exempt color additives clink the link below:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=9f7a14eba371bbe608d7d4477e7a5c77;rgn=div5;view=text;node=21:1.0.1.1.26;idno=21;cc=ecfr

To go to the CFR and view the listing of certified color additives clink the link below:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=9f7a14eba371bbe608d7d4477e7a5c77;rgn=div5;view=text;node=21:1.0.1.1.27;idno=21;cc=ecfr

How are exempt color labeled?

Labeling of Exempt colors

Cannot use the term “natural” except if adding as the juice that is the name of the product (example: Strawberry juice to color a strawberry ice cream)

Exempt colors permitted options:

o      Artificial color                          

o      Artificial color added               

o      Color with the name of color: “Colored with Annatto Extract”

o      Name of color (color): “Annatto Extract (color)”