Questions & Answers About Food Color Additives
January 20, 2025
Food Colors
Food additives − including food coloring and other common ingredients − often prompt questions about their purpose, safety and how they are used in the food supply. The IFIC Food Colors Toolkit provides science-based resources to help you address those questions with confidence. From consumer insights and expert perspectives to news articles and downloadable materials, this toolkit is designed to support clear, credible communication across a variety of settings.
Quick Links
Key Messages
Questions about food colors and additives come up often, especially around safety and navigating ingredient labels. These key messages offer science-based information to help clarify the role of food additives in our food supply, how they’re regulated and how they can fit into a healthy, balanced diet.
- What are food color additives and why are they used? Food color additives are ingredients added to food to help improve or maintain its appearance.[1] They can be used for several reasons, such as to replace color lost during storage or processing, correct natural variations in color, enhance naturally occurring colors or add color to foods that are naturally colorless.[2]
- Are food colors and additives safe to eat? According to IFIC Spotlight Survey data, some consumers avoid food dyes and colors because they believe they are unhealthy or unsafe.[3] While these perceptions are common, it’s important to know that all food additives and ingredients, including food color additives, are evaluated for safety by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being approved for use in the food supply.[1]
- How are food colors and additives regulated? Food additives, including colors, are strictly studied, regulated and monitored. Federal regulations require that each substance is proven safe at its intended level of use.[4] Once approved, additives continue to be monitored and reviewed as scientific understanding and testing methods advance.[5]
Research
Public understanding of food colors and additive safety continues to evolve. These research findings offer a snapshot of current consumer attitudes, helping guide clear and effective communication about what’s in our food and why it’s there.
IFIC Spotlight Survey: Americans’ Perceptions of Food Ingredient Safety
Learn MoreIFIC Spotlight Survey: American Perceptions On Snacking
Learn MoreIFIC Spotlight Survey: Public Perceptions of Food Ingredients
Learn MoreInsights
From food colors to preservatives, additives are a frequent source of questions and confusion. These insights take a closer look at the science, safety and public perceptions of food and additives, helping you navigate common concerns with clarity and confidence.
Building Trust In Food & Ingredient Safety In An All Or Nothing World
September 26, 2024
What You Need To Know About Color Additives in Foods
April 21, 2023
What the Current Science Says About Hyperactivity and Food Colors
September 2, 2020
What You Should Know About Approved Food Additives
June 19, 2020
Food Colors: Resources You Can Use
February 5, 2018
Webinars
Get up to speed on the science and communication of food additives. These webinars feature expert-led discussions on topics like food colors, ingredient safety and consumer perceptions − offering practical guidance for health and nutrition professionals.
Downloads to Share
Looking for resources to support your communication on food colors and additives? These downloadable materials provide easy-to-understand, science-based information you can share directly with your audience.
Food Additives Fact Sheet