FDA Approves Gardenia Blue: What It Means for Natural Color Innovation

On July 19, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gardenia Genipin Blue as a food color additive—marking a major milestone for the natural color industry.
This long-anticipated move not only adds a new natural blue to the palette, but also signals a regulatory and market shift away from synthetic dyes like FD&C Red No. 3.

For food and beverage developers, the approval of Gardenia Blue unlocks new opportunities—while reinforcing the growing demand for plant-based, clean-label solutions.

A Regulatory Turning Point: Gardenia Blue and the Push Away from Synthetic Dyes

In its official statement, the FDA approved Gardenia Blue—derived from genipin, a compound found in the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides—for general use as a color additive in food. The colorant joins the limited list of plant-based blues allowed in the U.S., alongside blue spirulina extract and butterfly pea flower extract.

Perhaps just as notable, the FDA also encouraged industry to accelerate the phase-out of FD&C Red No. 3, citing safety concerns and public interest. This dual message points to a broader commitment to clean-label reform, especially as consumer awareness continues to pressure brands to replace synthetic ingredients with recognizable, nature-derived alternatives.

Natural Blue Is No Longer a Bottleneck—It’s a Growing Palette

Blue has long been considered the most technically challenging color in natural food formulation. From heat stability to pH sensitivity and sourcing complexity, developers often had to compromise.

But that’s changing.
Today, formulators can choose from a growing family of natural blue ingredients—each with its own strengths and optimal use cases:

• Blue spirulina extract：delivers a clean, vivid blue ideal for cold-processed foods, beverages and dairy.
• Butterfly pea flower extract：provides dynamic pH-sensitive color, perfect for clear beverages and interactive applications.
• Gardenia blue：newly approved, brings improved heat stability and a deeper, more indigo-like hue—making it well suited for baked goods, and alcoholic beverages.

The takeaway? Natural blue is no longer a single-solution domain. It’s an evolving toolkit—and BINMEI is committed to making sure brands have the right options for the right applications.

BINMEI’s Position: Powering the Natural Color Transition

At BINMEI, we see FDA’s approval of Gardenia Blue as a positive signal for the industry—and a validation of what we’ve been building for over a decade.
Our portfolio of blue-forward solutions already includes:

• Water-only extracted phycocyanin, known for its brilliant hue, clean-label appeal, and suitability in dairy, cold beverages, and functional food.
• pH-responsive butterfly pea extract, widely used in clear drinks, syrups, and botanical-forward formulations.
• Custom-developed spirulina concentrates, designed for alcohol-based applications.

As new ingredients like Gardenia Blue gain regulatory access, we welcome the expansion of choice. But more importantly, we remain focused on helping brands balance regulatory compliance, sensory performance, and natural sourcing—without compromise.

Looking for the right natural blue for your application? BINMEI can help you navigate the options—from regulatory questions to technical fit.