USA – Givaudan Sense Color and French biotechnology firm Fermentalg have received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Everzure Galdieria, a natural blue color additive derived from the microalgae Galdieria sulphuraria.
This authorization paves the way for the ingredient’s use in food and beverage applications across the United States.
Marketed as a natural alternative to synthetic Blue 1, Everzure Galdieria is extracted via patented precision fermentation and water-based methods, and demonstrates acid stability—a property not previously achieved in natural blues with comparable vibrancy.
The FDA’s approval marks the first regulatory clearance of Everzure Galdieria for use in food and beverages.
Additional dossiers are currently under review by authorities in the European Union and the United Kingdom. Sampling is underway for U.S. clients, with commercial-scale production scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025.
Natural color stability for acidic formulations
Until recently, manufacturers seeking natural color alternatives to synthetic blue faced formulation challenges in low pH environments, such as beverages and confectionery.
Existing natural blue sources, including spirulina-derived phycocyanins, degrade under acidic conditions, limiting their functional range. Everzure Galdieria addresses this constraint by offering a natural blue that retains stability in acidic applications while maintaining vivid hue strength.
According to Givaudan, the product has been in development for over five years in collaboration with Fermentalg, which specializes in algae-based innovation.
Nathalie Pauleau, global product manager for Givaudan Sense Color, noted that regulatory pressures phasing out artificial dyes have accelerated demand for natural, clean-label solutions.
“Everzure Galdieria offers a natural option with a vibrancy that mirrors Blue 1, allowing our customers to create enticing food experiences without compromising on naturalness,” she said.
Fermentation-based production with traceability
Everzure Galdieria is produced through the fermentation of Galdieria sulphuraria, a heat- and acid-tolerant species of microalgae.
The process, developed and patented by Fermentalg, uses a closed fermentation system that enables consistent output, efficient use of inputs, and traceability throughout the supply chain.
Raja Chouket, Category Technical Lead at Givaudan Sense Color, stated that the new ingredient is part of a broader strategy to integrate biotechnology into natural color development.
“This new blue color is the result of more than five years of close collaboration with Fermentalg,” he said.
“Natural ingredients developed with the help of biotechnology hold the promise of delivering better, cleaner, and more enticing food experiences for consumers.”
Expanding Givaudan’s natural color portfolio
Everzure Galdieria joins Givaudan Sense Color’s portfolio of natural colorants designed to meet global regulatory and consumer demands.
In recent years, the color additive landscape has seen regulatory bans or restrictions targeting artificial dyes in various countries, prompting manufacturers to seek plant-, algae-, or fermentation-based substitutes.
For instance, synthetic dyes such as Red 3 (Erythrosine), Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) have come under increasing scrutiny.
In January 2025, the FDA banned Red Dye No. 3 from food and drugs in the United States. This decision follows animal studies linking the dye to thyroid tumors and aligns with the Delaney Clause, which prohibits food additives shown to cause cancer.
While the FDA cited no direct human evidence, the decision was based on sufficient animal studies and the safety concerns they raised.
In Europe, countries like Norway and Austria previously banned several artificial colorants, while the European Union requires warning labels for dyes such as Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40 due to possible links with hyperactivity in children.
