# 2026-02313: Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Beetroot Red

2026-02313, Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Beetroot Red, is a Federal Register rule from Health and Human Services Department, Food and Drug Administration published 2026-02-06, effective 2026-03-23 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02313
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-02313
- Title: Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Beetroot Red
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Health and Human Services Department; Food and Drug Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 5295
- Published: 2026-02-06
- Effective: 2026-03-23
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## Summary

The FDA is giving the green light for beetroot red to be used as a safe food color in most human foods, except for certain USDA products, infant formula, and foods with special color rules. This change starts March 23, 2026, and food makers can now use this natural color without extra certification. If anyone wants to object or ask for a hearing, they must do so by March 9, 2026.

## Abstract

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is amending the color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of beetroot red for the coloring of human foods generally, at levels consistent with current good manufacturing practice, except in products under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), infant formula, or foods for which standards of identity have been issued under section 401 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), unless the use of the added color is authorized by such standards. We are taking this action in response to a color additive petition (CAP) submitted by Phytolon, Ltd. (Phytolon or petitioner).

## Effects PRIA read

- Beetroot Red Approved; No Batch Certification: benefit, medium. The FDA listed "beetroot red" as a color additive that may be used to color human foods generally, in amounts consistent with good manufacturing practice, effective March 23, 2026. FDA also concluded batch certification of beetroot red is not necessary, so manufacturers can use this color additive…
- Use Restricted in Certain Foods: cost, medium. Beetroot red may not be used to color products regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (meat, poultry, egg products under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, Poultry Products Inspection Act, or Egg Products Inspection Act), infant formula, or foods with standards of identity under section 401…
- Mandatory Heavy Metal Specifications: cost, medium. Beetroot red must meet FDA specifications: lead not more than 0.15 mg/kg (0.15 ppm), arsenic not more than 0.05 mg/kg (0.05 ppm), mercury not more than 0.01 mg/kg (0.01 ppm), and cadmium not more than 0.05 mg/kg (0.05 ppm). These specifications apply to the color additive as of March 23, 2026.

## Related documents

- [2026-16296](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16296): Substances Generally Recognized as Safe, 2026-08-11
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- [2026-13047](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13047): Establishment Registration and Product Listing for Tobacco Products, 2026-06-29
- [2025-04978](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-04978): Nonprescription Drug Product With an Additional Condition for Nonprescription Use, 2025-03-25
- [2025-01840](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-01840): Nonprescription Drug Product With an Additional Condition for Nonprescription Use, 2025-01-27
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## Sources
- [2026-02313 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/06/2026-02313/listing-of-color-additives-exempt-from-certification-beetroot-red)
- [2026-02313 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-06/pdf/2026-02313.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-02311, Improving the Effectiveness of the Robocall Mitigation Database; CORES Registra…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02311)
- [Next: 2026-02314, Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Spirulina Extract](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02314)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02313 (as of 2026-06-11).