The U.S. to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Colorants; Natural Pigments Enter a Golden Era of Development

On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) jointly announced the phased comprehensive phase-out of eight petroleum-based synthetic colorants within the U.S. food supply chain by the end of 2026. The list covers widely used varieties including Allura Red AC and Tartrazine. Restrictions on certain colorants have taken immediate effect, while the deadline for eliminating Erythrosine has also been advanced to the end of 2026.

This policy is driven by dual factors: growing concerns over potential health risks and consumption upgrading. Synthetic colorants may adversely affect children’s development. Meanwhile, clean-label products have become mainstream in the market, and industry giants such as Nestlé and General Mills have made early arrangements for alternative solutions.

The regulation creates enormous market space for the substitution of natural pigments. Orders for plant-derived raw materials including phycocyanin, curcumin and betanin have surged, and the FDA has simultaneously accelerated the approval process for natural colorants.

Endowed with advantages in raw material resources and production capacity, Chinese plant extraction enterprises are presented with precious opportunities for overseas expansion. Nevertheless, they need to meet stringent international requirements concerning product stability, color value and compliance certifications.

This U.S. policy will fuel the global trend of phasing out synthetic colorants and inject long-term growth momentum into the plant extraction industry.