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San-Ei Gen F.F.I., a manufacturer of food additives, has announced the upcoming launch of two new food-colouring products in the US, following the recent approval of its Gardenia (genipin) blue by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This approval, effective August 29 2025, allows Gardenia blue to be used as a colour additive exempt from certification in a variety of processed food products.

The new formulations, branded as San-Ei Blue (R) G-BF30 WSP and San-Ei Blue (R) G-BFA20 WSP, are designed for a wide range of applications including sports drinks, flavoured waters, fruit juice beverages, tea drinks, and both hard and soft candies.

The introduction of these products is poised to enhance the colour offerings available to food and beverage manufacturers in the US market.

According to San-Ei Gen F.F.I., the Gardenia blue formulations boast superior heat and light stability compared to other natural blue colourants, making them particularly suitable for processed foods that require long shelf lives.

The vivid hue of Gardenia blue can also be blended with yellow to create green tones or with red for purple shades, offering manufacturers versatile options for product differentiation.

This capability addresses a growing demand for stable, naturally derived colorants that can withstand the rigors of food processing and storage.

Yasuhiro Shimizu, president of San-Ei Gen F.F.I., said: “Our mission is to provide all people with healthy life and enjoyment of food through safe and secure food additives”.

He highlighted the company’s integration of advanced research and development across five key areas: flavour, colour, texture, taste and health/function.

The approval of Gardenia blue represents a significant milestone for San-Ei Gen F.F.I. as it seeks to expand its footprint in the competitive US food market.

The company plans to actively promote these new products and continue investing in product development to meet evolving consumer preferences for natural and visually appealing food options.