“Now, by expanding the palette of available colors derived from natural sources, food manufacturers have a variety of options available that will make it easier to end their use of petroleum-based dyes,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s statement reads on the official website.

TUESDAY, July 15, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A natural blue food coloring made from gardenia fruit has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The additive — dubbed gardenia blue — can now be used in foods like sports drinks, flavored waters, fruit drinks, teas, and both hard and soft candies, the FDA announced July 14.

The Food and Drug Administration approved a new blue color additive on Monday. The dye is derived from the fruit of the gardenia and has been used in sports drinks, soft drinks, and candy. It is made by refining the compound genipin and reacting it with soy protein hydrolysate.