In a continued push toward natural alternatives in the U.S. food supply, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new blue color additive derived from the fruit of the gardenia plant. The decision, announced July 15, 2025, allows for the use of the colorant, known as gardenia blue, in products like sports drinks, enhanced waters, teas, and both hard and soft candies.
This move reflects a broader effort by the FDA to promote cleaner labeling and reduce the presence of synthetic ingredients in food, particularly those aimed at children. Gardenia blue now joins a growing list of plant-derived colors approved for food use, showing a shift in regulatory priorities and consumer expectations.
What Is Gardenia Blue?
Gardenia blue is created by extracting genipin from the Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit, which has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. The genipin is then reacted with soy protein hydrolysate to form the vibrant blue pigment. While soy is a known allergen, the Gardenia Blue Interest Group, who petitioned for the additive’s approval, has requested an exemption from allergen labeling. They argue the final product contains no detectable soy protein and therefore poses no risk to people with soy allergies. The FDA is still reviewing this request.
The agency’s approval applies specifically to a range of beverages and confections, so gardenia blue may soon appear on more nutrition labels across the country.
A Broader Movement Toward Natural Dyes
This approval is part of a wider trend at the FDA to support natural colorants over synthetic ones. In the past two months alone, the agency has approved three additional plant-based dyes: galdieria extract blue, calcium phosphate (white), and butterfly pea flower extract, which can produce hues of blue, purple, and green (FDA, 2025a).
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the decision, framing it as a child-focused public health win. “Every day, children are exposed to synthetic chemicals in food that serve no purpose and threaten their health,” he said. “The FDA’s approval of gardenia blue shows we’re finally putting kids first” (Kennedy, 2025).
