FDA approves natural color alternative to Blue 1

The approval will provide new possibilities for Givaudan's confectionery customers.

Givaudan Sense Colour has announced FDA approval for Everzure Galdieria, a natural color additive made from Galdieria sulphuraria. Developed in collaboration with French biotech company Fermentalg, this novel blue is fermented and extracted from microalgae using patented processes. The result is a phycocyanin-rich natural blue color, similar to spirulina, with complete traceability and low pH stability that broadens the scope of application and use beyond where spirulina can be used.

”With increasing regulatory pressure and bans on synthetic colors, Sense Colour’s unique natural solutions are particularly relevant for today’s regulatory landscape. Until now, achieving vibrant blues in low pH applications, such as candies and soft drinks, using natural colors was a major obstacle for manufacturers. Everzure Galdieria offers a natural option with a vibrancy that mirrors Blue 1, allowing our customers to create enticing food experiences without compromising on naturalness,” says Nathalie Pauleau, global product manager for Givaudan Sense Colour.

Leveraging Fermentalg’s expertise in blue biotechnology and precision fermentation, Everzure Galdieria is sustainably produced via the controlled fermentation of the microalgae Galdieria sulphuraria, followed by a water extraction. Fermentalg’s proprietary fermentation process aims to ensure consistent quality, efficient resource use, and scalable production, the company says.

“This new blue color is the result of more than five years of close collaboration with Fermentalg. It represents a significant milestone in our ongoing work in the biotech space. Natural ingredients developed with the help of biotechnology hold the promise of delivering better, cleaner and more enticing food experiences for consumers,” says Raja Chouket, category technical lead for Sense Colour. “This approval will allow us to advance into production and commercialization, making this long-awaited solution available to the market.”

Approval by the FDA marks the first authorization for use in food and beverages, with additional petitions in process in Europe and the UK. Everzure Galdieria is currently available for sampling in the U.S. with production scale-up beginning in H2 2025.