San-Ei Gen F.F.I has launched its “San-Ei Blue” series of gardenia blue colorant products for processed foods in the United States. These products meet standards such as §73・168 Gardenia (genipin) blue, which have been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
They feature vivid blue color, strong heat resistance, and high light resistance, and are usable in approved food categories. By blending with yellow colorants, they can produce green hues, and by blending with red colorants, they can produce purple, allowing a wide range of color tones.
The Gardenia Blue Colorant Application Committee, led by the company, has, with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ export environment improvement project, submitted an application to the FDA for gardenia blue colorant approval as a certificate-exempt color additive under 21 CF §73. The FDA announced on August 15 that it would add gardenia blue colorant to the list as §73・168 Gardenia (genipin) blue, and the law comes into effect on August 29.
With this, gardenia blue colorant conforming to the standards can now be used in processed foods for export to the United States and in products manufactured and sold domestically in the U.S., such as sports drinks, flavor waters (non-carbonated soft drinks), fruit beverages, tea beverages, hard candy, and soft candy.