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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the approved uses of spirulina extract, allowing it as a colour additive in all foods.

This decision supports wider adoption of natural blue colours across the US food industry.

Spirulina extract was the first natural blue color approved for food use in the United States. Its permitted applications have expanded incrementally, including approval for beverages in 2022.

The latest update enables more extensive use in baked goods, including doughs and batters, where natural blue can support green tones in flavors such as pistachio and matcha, as well as seasonal offerings.

Historically, spirulina extract has been used mainly in decorations, fillings, and coatings, but clearer regulatory guidance now allows manufacturers to integrate it more confidently across a wider range of products.

The FDA also clarified voluntary labeling claims, allowing companies to state “no artificial colours” on products that do not contain petroleum-based colors, simplifying the transition away from synthetic dyes.