Additive guides · Product label guide
Natural food coloring: exempt vs certified colors and the colorants on real labels.
Updated
What counts as a natural food color in US rules, the difference between colors exempt from certification and certified colors, and how many labels use annatto, turmeric, beet and spirulina.
Quick answer
In US rules, colors fall into two lists: certified colors (the synthetic dyes such as Red 40 and Yellow 5, in 21 CFR Part 74) and colors exempt from certification (in Part 73), which include annatto, turmeric, beet juice and spirulina extract. Our checker flags the certified dyes and not the exempt plant colors. A label that says no artificial colors is a claim to check against the list.
- Certified
- 21 CFR Part 74
- Exempt
- 21 CFR Part 73
- Annatto
- 166 labels
- Turmeric
- 130 labels
01 · A closer look
Two lists, not one.
US color additive rules split into colors subject to certification and colors exempt from certification. The certified colors are the synthetic dyes, each tested batch by batch by the FDA, such as FD&C Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Blue No. 1 (21 CFR Part 74). The exempt colors, in 21 CFR Part 73, come mostly from plants, minerals and animals, and include annatto extract, turmeric, beet juice and spirulina extract. Exempt does not mean unregulated: each exempt color is listed with the foods and limits it is approved for.
21 CFR Part 73: listing of color additives exempt from certification02 · A closer look
The usual natural colors.
Annatto (from the seed of the achiote tree) gives yellow to orange and colors cheese and snacks. Turmeric gives yellow. Beet juice gives red to pink. Spirulina extract gives blue and green. They can fade in heat and light, so naturally colored foods can look more muted.
03 · A closer look
What “no artificial colors” means.
It is a claim on the label, not a separate color category. The ingredient list is where colors must be named. A product can use colors exempt from certification and still be described several ways, so check the list for the specific names.
FDA: color additives, questions and answers for consumers04 · A closer look
How our checker treats them.
The checker flags the certified synthetic dyes under artificial dyes and does not flag annatto, turmeric, beet or spirulina. Our guides to Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1 and dye-free foods explain the flagged side, and the page on titanium dioxide covers a color that the EU no longer allows in food.
FDA: color additive status listFrom the catalog · 6 labels
Annatto in our catalog
Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 166 (from 93 brands) list annatto. Below are up to 6 of them, one per brand; open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.
| Labels | |
|---|---|
| Current, complete labels checked | 4,729 |
| List annatto | 166 (3.5%) |
| Of those, no additive group flagged by the checker | 94 of 166 |
| Also flagged: Seed Oils | 62 of 166 |
| Also flagged: Artificial Preservatives | 11 of 166 |
| Also flagged: Corn Syrups | 10 of 166 |
| Labels on the Cheese shelf | 52 |
| Labels on the Mac & cheese shelf | 31 |
| Labels on the Dairy alternatives: butter & cheese shelf | 12 |
| Labels on the Popcorn & pretzels shelf | 9 |
| Labels on the Chips & crisps shelf | 7 |
From the catalog · 6 labels
Turmeric in our catalog
Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 130 (from 89 brands) list turmeric. Below are up to 6 of them, one per brand; open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.
| Labels | |
|---|---|
| Current, complete labels checked | 4,729 |
| List turmeric | 130 (2.7%) |
| Of those, no additive group flagged by the checker | 72 of 130 |
| Also flagged: Seed Oils | 50 of 130 |
| Also flagged: Artificial Preservatives | 14 of 130 |
| Also flagged: Corn Syrups | 11 of 130 |
| Labels on the Spices & seasonings shelf | 23 |
| Labels on the Broths & soups shelf | 11 |
| Labels on the Candy & gummies shelf | 6 |
| Labels on the Bread shelf | 5 |
| Labels on the Dairy alternatives: butter & cheese shelf | 5 |
JovialOrganic Italian Cannellini Beans and Tomatoes
Pure Indian FoodsSambar Powder, Certified Organic
YumEarthHalloween Organic Lollipops
Lakewood OrganicNurture Golden Glow, Organic Tropical Juice with Prebiotic Fiber, Ginger and Turmeric
Gold Mine Natural Food Co.Gold Mine Organic Golden Kraut
Nuts.comOrganic Date Flax Energy Squares
From the catalog · 6 labels
Beet color in our catalog
Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 24 (from 17 brands) list beet juice, powder or extract. Below are up to 6 of them, one per brand; open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.
| Labels | |
|---|---|
| Current, complete labels checked | 4,729 |
| List beet juice, powder or extract | 24 (0.5%) |
| Of those, no additive group flagged by the checker | 14 of 24 |
| Also flagged: Seed Oils | 9 of 24 |
| Also flagged: Corn Syrups | 3 of 24 |
| Also flagged: Artificial Preservatives | 2 of 24 |
| Labels on the Electrolyte & hydration drinks shelf | 7 |
| Labels on the Juice & coconut water shelf | 3 |
| Labels on the Cereal shelf | 2 |
| Labels on the Frozen pizza shelf | 2 |
| Labels on the Baby & toddler food shelf | 1 |
From the catalog · 6 labels
Spirulina in our catalog
Of the 4,729 products whose full ingredient list we have read in the last 90 days, 15 (from 8 brands) list spirulina. Below are up to 6 of them, one per brand; open a product to see its full label and the date we read it.
| Labels | |
|---|---|
| Current, complete labels checked | 4,729 |
| List spirulina | 15 (0.3%) |
| Of those, no additive group flagged by the checker | 11 of 15 |
| Also flagged: Seed Oils | 4 of 15 |
| Also flagged: Corn Syrups | 2 of 15 |
| Labels on the Candy & gummies shelf | 6 |
| Labels on the Kombucha & fermented drinks shelf | 3 |
| Labels on the Dairy alternatives: butter & cheese shelf | 2 |
| Labels on the Fruit snacks & pouches shelf | 2 |
| Labels on the Snack bars shelf | 1 |
The short answer
Our picks for natural food coloring
Top of the shelfNutiva Organic Coconut Oil Buttery Flavor, Lakewood Organic Cherry Beet Juice Blend, and Nuts for Cheese Organic Super Blue Cashew Cheese each score 100/100. 10 products tie at 100; these 3 have the shortest labels. Use Compare by in the table to separate the rest.
Also strongPure Indian Foods Sambar Powder, Certified Organic (100), EnviroKidz Organic Turtle Splash Cereal (100), and Gold Mine Natural Food Co. Gold Mine Organic Golden Kraut (100).
Clear noEarth's Best Organic Sesame Street Garden Veggie Straws (lists seed oils).
Ranked from 12 of 12 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.
Compare the recorded labels
Find the ingredients that matter to you.
“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.
| Buy | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Pasta (organic wheat flour), Organic Whey, Organic Cultured Cream, Organic Nonfat Milk, Salt, Organic Butter (organic pasteurized cream, salt), Organic Dried Cheddar Cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, non-animal enzymes), Organic Corn Starch, Organic Annatto Extract (for color), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide (for anticaking). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Classic Cheddar Mac & Cheese”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Brown rice flour*, navy bean flour*, cane sugar*, beetroot juice concentrate* (color), sea salt, Fair Trade cocoa powder* (processed with alkali), strawberry juice concentrate*, strawberry flavor*, chocolate flavor*. *Organic. Produced in a facility that uses tree nuts, peanuts and soy. Label checked 2026-10-05 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-05 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “EnviroKidz Organic Turtle Splash Cereal”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-05 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic cabbage, Organic carrot, Celtic sea salt, Organic garlic, Organic ginger juice, Organic turmeric powder, Organic curry powder, Organic cayenne pepper, Organic black pepper Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “GOLD MINE ORGANIC GOLDEN KRAUT”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cannellini beans*, Italian tomatoes*, onion*, vegetable broth*, (water, salt, corn starch*, dehydrated vegetables*: onion*, celery*, carrot*, leek*, parsely*), turmeric*, spices*, yeast extract*, extra virgin olive oil*, sea salt, cane sugar*, bay leaf powder*. Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-05 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Italian Cannellini Beans and Tomatoes”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-05 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Black (Dark Sweet) Cherry Juice, Organic Beetroot Juice, Organic Tart Cherry Juice, Organic Lemon Juice Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Lakewood Organic Cherry Beet Juice Blend | 32oz”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-11 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic NON-GMO popcorn, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Tapioca Solids, Himalayan Salt, Organic Raw Cane Sugar, Organic Garlic Powder, Organic Red Bell Pepper Powder, Organic Jalapeño Pepper Powder, Organic Yeast Extract, Organic White Distilled Vinegar, Organic Spices, Organic Nutritional Yeast, Organic Flavor, Citric Acid, Organic Onion Powder, Organic Annatto Extract, Organic Habanero Pepper Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Fiery Hot Organic Popcorn”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-11 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Buy on Amazon ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Refined Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil, Organic Natural Flavors, Organic Annatto Extract (For Color). Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Organic Coconut Oil Buttery Flavor”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-11 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cashews*, coconut oil*, quinoa rejuvelac (water, quinoa*), water, nutritional yeast, chickpea miso (rice*, chickpeas*, sea salt, water, koji spores), sea salt, spirulina*. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Nuts For Cheese Fermented Cashew Product Organic & Dairy-Free Super Blue 6/4.23 Oz [UNFI #2724037]”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients *Coriander, *Red Chilly (27%), *Bengal Gram, *Turmeric powder, *Fenugreek, *Rice, Salt, *Black pepper. *Organic Label checked 2026-10-11 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-11 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Sambar Powder, Certified Organic - 3.5 oz”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-11 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients ORGANIC CANE SUGAR, ORGANIC RICE SYRUP, ORGANIC CORN STARCH, LACTIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, NATURAL FLAVORS, COLORED WITH ORGANIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONCENTRATES, ORGANIC SPIRULINA (COLOR). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “organic sour littles”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 92 / 1008 of 9 groups clear · organic | Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Corn Flour, Organic Potato Flour, Organic Potato Starch, Organic Corn Starch, Organic Rice Flour, Salt, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Spinach Powder, Organic Tomato Powder, Organic Beetroot Powder ( Color), Organic Turmeric ( Color), Organic Sunflower and/or Organic Safflower Oil. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2757018 · data date 2026-04-23 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Glucose Syrup, Soluble Corn Fiber, Invert Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Isomalto-oligosaccharide (Tapioca), Sugar, Citric Acid, Fumaric Acid, Lactic Acid, Natural Flavor, Stevia Glycosides, Colors From Fruit And Vegetable Extracts (Carrot And Blackcurrant), Turmeric And Spirulina (For Color). Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
How the clean score works
No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.
Primary sources