Updated: 2005-11-29
BACKGROUND:
On 8/1/85 this CPG issued without the term “color added” as a permissible label
declaration under Section 403(k) when a color is added to a food. This is in accord
with the literal requirement of Section 403(k). However, it has come to our attention
that food manufacturers have, in good faith, been complying with the previous long
standing declaration of policy in permitting the term “color added” to declare the
presence of an artificial color. Since it would not serve any useful purpose to change
policy at this time, we are reissuing the 8/1/85 edition of this CPG, with appropriate
revisions.
Section 403(k) of the FD&C Act states that if a food contains an artificial color it should bear labeling “stating that fact.”
Section 403(i)(2) of the FD&C Act permits a color to be listed on a food label as such without naming specifically the color used.
21 CFR 74.705(d)(2) states that all foods, including butter, cheese, and ice cream that contain FD&C Yellow No. 5 shall specifically declare the presence of this color additive in the list of ingredients.
Questions have arisen concerning the use of the terms “Food Color Added,” “color added,” “artificial color,” and “natural color” on a label to indicate the presence of artificial color.
POLICY:
For the purpose of the label declaration in accordance with Section 403(k) of the
Act, the terms “Artificially Colored,” “Artificial Color Added,” “color added,” or an
equally informative statement should be used which clearly indicates the addition of
a color to a food, except where regulations require specific declaration of the color
by common or usual name. FDA also will not insist upon the use of the word
“artificial” with the declaration of color as an ingredient when the declaration
identifies the color by specific common or usual name and by function. Thus, terms
such as “colored with _____” or “_____ (color)” (the blank being filled with the
specific color name such as annatto, beet powder, beta carotene, etc.) is considered
satisfactory.
The use of the words “food color added,” “natural color,” or similar words containing the term “food” or “natural” may be erroneously interpreted to mean the color is a naturally occurring constituent in the food. Since all added colors result in an artificially colored food, we would object to the declaration of any added color as “food" or “natural.”
*Material between asterisks is new or revised.*
Issued: 9/23/76
Revised: 8/16/78, 10/1/80, 8/1/85, 7/1/86, 5/2005