TUESDAY, July 15, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A natural blue food coloring made from gardenia fruit has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The additive — dubbed gardenia blue — can now be used in foods like sports drinks, flavored waters, fruit drinks, teas, and both hard and soft candies, the FDA announced July 14.

According to today's announcement from the FDA, an estimated 40% of the food industry has committed to voluntarily phasing out petroleum-based dyes. That includes major brands like Heinz and General Mills, both of which promised this June to start removing synthetic dyes from their products.

The FDA has approved Gardenia blue as a natural food dye, part of a broader push by Health and Human Services to support dairy and clean ingredients.