The FDA’s Synthetic Dye Ban Is Coming Fast. OK Kosher Is Already Helping Clients Get Ahead

When the FDA announced its plan to phase out petroleum-based food dyes, many in the industry were caught off guard. At OK Kosher, we weren’t. Our teams had already begun reviewing the kosher implications of natural colorants, and we’ve been fielding more and more questions about what this shift means for reformulation, labeling, and certification.

The move away from synthetic dyes is not just about removing ingredients. It is also about ensuring that the replacements perform well in your products and continue to meet kosher certification requirements. That is where we come in.

Clients Are Asking: Is This New Color Kosher?

We are already working with many clients who are transitioning to natural colors such as spirulina, beet, and sweet potato extracts. Many are surprised to learn that “natural” does not automatically mean kosher. Extraction processes may involve alcohol, glycerin, or enzymes. Carriers and processing aids can also raise kosher concerns.

These are the types of questions we help companies address every day:

1. Does the color source require kosher certification?
2. Are any processing aids used that could affect kosher status?
3. Will the change impact our labeling?
4. What else is processed on the same equipment? For example, spray dryers are often used for multiple products.

Our Account Reps work closely with clients to ensure kosher considerations are addressed from the beginning, not treated as a last-minute hurdle.

Working with Ingredient Suppliers Early

We are actively reviewing the kosher status of natural colorants before they become widely adopted. One example is Oterra, an OK Kosher certified supplier that has developed a sweet potato-based red already helping companies replace synthetic Red No. 40. And more innovations are on the way.

Oterra, one of the world’s largest producers of natural colors, relies on OK Kosher certification for its FruitMax® range, which is made from a wide variety of fruit, vegetable, and plant concentrates.

FruitMax® colors are minimally processed using gentle production methods. They can be clearly and simply listed on ingredient labels, helping manufacturers meet clean label expectations and appeal to consumer preferences.

“We’ve seen growing demand for products like FruitMax®, especially in the U.S., as manufacturers around the world look for more clean label solutions,” says Andrew Arnold, Head of Communications at Oterra. “To ensure transparency, it is vital that we have the proper certifications to show that these colors meet kosher, vegetarian, and other regulatory standards.”

Since April, the FDA has been encouraging producers to remove artificial colors from food and beverages. Several states have gone further by mandating the removal of synthetic dyes.

“The move to natural colors is clearly consumer-driven,” Arnold adds.

“With tightening legislation, producers need alternatives they can trust. We are grateful for our long-standing relationship with OK Kosher, which prepares us for this shift and for the future.”

Because OK Kosher has certified this colorant at the source, our clients can move forward with confidence, knowing their reformulation aligns with both FDA guidance and kosher standards.

We are also reviewing additional ingredients such as butterfly pea flower extract and gardenia blue as they move through the FDA’s fast-track approval process.

Label Changes Are a Good Time to Review Your Kosher Symbol

When ingredients change, packaging often needs updates as well. That makes this an ideal time to review your kosher symbol.

We have seen cases where outdated versions of the trademark OK Kosher logo remained on labels. This is an opportunity to double-check your packaging and ensure it reflects your current kosher status and complies with OK Kosher guidelines.

We are happy to assist with that review.

This Is About More Than Compliance

We understand that deadlines are tight. Behind every ingredient change is a team juggling regulatory, technical, and brand decisions. We are here as part of that team.

OK Kosher provides practical, responsive support to help you make the necessary changes while protecting your certification and product integrity.

If you are working through color-related changes tied to this regulation, or just starting to evaluate new ingredient options, reach out. We are ready to support your team, one ingredient at a time.

OK Kosher Certification

Kosher clarity. Practical support. No shortcuts.