TUESDAY, July 15, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A natural blue food coloring made from gardenia fruit has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The additive — dubbed gardenia blue — can now be used in foods like sports drinks, flavored waters, fruit drinks, teas, and both hard and soft candies, the FDA announced July 14.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted use the color gardenia (genipin) blue in various foods. Additionally, ice cream could also be shedding artificial food dyes in years to come.

The Food and Drug Administration approved a new blue color additive on Monday. The dye is derived from the fruit of the gardenia and has been used in sports drinks, soft drinks, and candy. It is made by refining the compound genipin and reacting it with soy protein hydrolysate.