Butterfly pea flower extract is now approved for more snack foods
What happened
US health regulators have approved butterfly pea flower extract for use as a color additive in more snack foods. This means the natural blue dye can now be used in cereals, crackers, chips, and pretzels.
Why it matters
For years, food companies have looked for natural alternatives to artificial food dyes. This approval expands the options for blue and purple colors, which are particularly hard to achieve naturally. It makes it easier for manufacturers to label products with 'natural colors' while still offering vibrant hues.
The signal
Watch for new snack products on shelves that use butterfly pea flower extract to achieve blue or purple colors, especially in categories like cereals and chips.