Beetroot Red Food Color Gets Temporary Government Timeout
Published Date: 3/24/2026
Rule
Summary
The FDA is hitting the pause button on the new rule that lets food makers use beetroot red as a color in most foods. This delay happens because some folks raised concerns, so the FDA needs more time to review before making it official. No money changes yet, but food companies and consumers will have to wait a bit longer for this colorful update.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Beetroot Red Use Delayed for Food Makers
As of March 20, 2026, the FDA has delayed indefinitely the February 6, 2026 final order that would have allowed food makers to use beetroot red (added as 21 CFR 73.39) for coloring human foods generally. The delay was triggered by timely objections (including a submission dated March 5, 2026) and legally prevents the final order from taking effect until FDA resolves those objections or announces a new effective date.
Consumers Face Delay in Beetroot Red Foods
You will not see foods newly colored with beetroot red under the February 6, 2026 final order while the FDA has delayed the order as of March 20, 2026. The delay is indefinite and will remain in place until FDA publishes a document announcing a new effective date or other administrative action.
FDA Safety Finding Remains Intact
The FDA says its scientific determination that there is a "reasonable certainty of no harm" from beetroot red under the proposed conditions of use has not changed, even though the effective date of the rule is delayed as of March 20, 2026. FDA also says it will address the filed objections in a future document.
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