Seventeen nonorganic food colorings now permitted by the USDA’s National Organic Program will sunset in 2022.
Manufacturers using these “organic compliant” (nonorganic) colors in their products will need to reformulate with the certified organic version by June 27, 2022, if they plan to continue using the USDA organic seal on their products, explains Sue Ann McAvoy global regulatory specialist with Sensient Food Colors.
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“Eventually all colors in products featuring the USDA organic seal will need to be certified organic,” she writes. “As we get closer to the sunset expiration date of the 2022 colors, the national list will certainly shrink.
Colorings include:
Beet juice extract, colors from black currant juice, blueberry juice, carrot juice, cherry juice, chokeberry juice, elderberry juice, grape juice color and grape skin extract color, paprika color, pumpkin juice color, purple potato juice, red cabbage, red radish, saffron, and turmeric extract color.