Low urgency

Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Spirulina Extract

Detected July 6, 2026 · in Food Truck & Cottage-Food Permits

FDA expands approved uses of spirulina extract as a blue-green color additive in human foods, including those sold by food trucks and cottage food operations.

Aforeworn detected this change in the Food Truck & Cottage-Food Permits space on July 6, 2026 and published this briefing so affected operators are forewarned rather than caught off guard. It is rated Low urgency. Food truck operators, cottage food home bakers, and other small food businesses using natural color additives. should confirm how it applies to their specific situation before acting. There is a time constraint attached: No immediate deadline; effective upon publication (February 6, 2026).. Acting after that point can mean penalties, a lapsed licence, or lost eligibility — exactly the kind of surprise Aforeworn exists to prevent. Aforeworn monitors Food Truck & Cottage-Food Permits continuously and turns every detected change into a plain-English briefing like this one, so you always know first. Forewarned is forearmed.

What changed

Spirulina extract can now be used in a broader range of food categories (e.g., confections, frostings, ice cream, dry mixes, beverages) without needing FDA certification.

Who it affects

Food truck operators, cottage food home bakers, and other small food businesses using natural color additives.

What you must do

Review current ingredient lists and update recipes to take advantage of this new, approved natural color source if desired.

Deadline

No immediate deadline; effective upon publication (February 6, 2026).

Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/06/2026-02314/listing-of-color-additives-exempt-from-certification-spirulina-extract

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