Regulatory Information
Navigate global regulations for natural colors with our comprehensive compliance guides.
European Union
EFSA / European Commission
United States
FDA - Food and Drug Administration
Japan
MHLW / JSFA
South Korea
MFDS - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
China
NHFPC / NHC / SAMR
Southeast Asia
ASEAN / National Authorities
European Union
EFSA / European Commission
EU regulation on food additives, specifically colorants. All natural colors require EFSA safety assessment and approval.
Standards & Regulations
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008
Food Additives
Framework for approved food additives including colors
Regulation (EC) No 1129/2011
Annex II - Approved Colorants
Positive list of permitted food colors
Regulation (EC) No 231/2012
Specifications
Purity criteria for approved food additives
Directive 2009/35/EC
Colors in Cosmetics
Approved colorants for cosmetic products
Official Resources
United States
FDA - Food and Drug Administration
FDA regulates colors under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Colors may be listed or subject to certification.
Standards & Regulations
21 CFR Part 70
Color Additives - General
Overview of color additive regulations
21 CFR Part 73
Listed Colors
Colors exempt from certification for food use
21 CFR Part 74
Certified Colors
Colors required to undergo certification process
GRAS
Generally Recognized As Safe
Self-affirmed or FDA-reviewed GRAS status
Official Resources
Japan
MHLW / JSFA
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare regulates colors under the Food Sanitation Law.
Standards & Regulations
JSFA IV
Japan Specifications and Standards
Specifications for food additives including colors
MHLW Notification No. 307
Approved Colors
List of approved synthetic and natural colors
Food Sanitation Law
Safety Assessment
Art. 13 - Standards for food additive use
Official Resources
South Korea
MFDS - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
Korea's MFDS maintains a positive list system for food colors under the Food Sanitation Act.
Standards & Regulations
Food Sanitation Act
Article 7
Standards and specifications for food additives
MFDS Notification
Approved Color List
Natural and synthetic colors permitted in food
KFDA Standards
Purity Criteria
Specifications for individual color additives
Official Resources
China
NHFPC / NHC / SAMR
China regulates colors as food添加剂 (additives) under national standards. Recent reforms consolidated authority under SAMR.
Standards & Regulations
GB 2760
Food Safety Standard
Uses of food additives including colors
GB 7912
Food Grade Colors
Specifications for permitted food colors
SAMR Regulations
Novel Food/Food Additive
Approval process for new color additives
Official Resources
Southeast Asia
ASEAN / National Authorities
ASEAN harmonizes food additive regulations including colors. Individual countries maintain implementation authority.
Standards & Regulations
ASEAN FHC
Food Handling Committee
Harmonized standards for food colors
ANSCC
ASEAN Food Regional Standards
Technical requirements for food additives
Country-specific
National Implementation
Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia standards
Official Resources
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