Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Spirulina Extract

What it does

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is amending the color additive regulations to provide for the expanded use of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) extract as a color additive in human foods generally (except for infant formula, certain foods subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and foods for which standards of identity have been issued under section 401 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, unless the use of the added color is authorized by such standards) at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice (GMP), to lower the heavy metal specifications for lead, arsenic, and mercury, and to add a specification for cadmium. We are taking this action in response to a color additive petition (CAP) submitted by GNT USA, LLC (GNT or petitioner).

The Food and Drug Administration's summary, as published in the Federal Register.

What changed in the regulation

1 part of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

21 CFR 73

Wording on eCFR: the day before it took effect and from the day it took effect (first part listed).

Compared with

The Food and Drug Administration has published 103 final rules in 2026 so far, compared with 68 in all of 2025.

Counted by the Tribune from Federal Register records since Jan. 1, 2025.

What happens next and when

This order is effective March 23, 2026 See section IX of this document for further information on the filing of objections. Either electronic or written objections and requests for a hearing on the order must be submitted by March 9, 2026.

The agency's dates, word for word.

Check it yourself

• The document in the Federal Register
• Docket FDA-2024-C-3384 on Regulations.gov
• Title 21 on eCFR

The record as published

Source: the Federal Register (public domain). The document in the Federal Register