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The FDA just approved a manmade dye called beetroot red that can use the label “No Artificial Colors.”
Despite the name, beetroot red contains NO beets — it is produced through precision fermentation from a small sliver of DNA.
The genetically engineered yeast is placed in industrial stainless-steel fermentation tanks and fed simple sugars and minerals.
Normally you are required to disclosed “bioengineered food” but since the GMO DNA is absent in the final product they were able to bypass the disclosure agreement.
FDA also allows common carrier agents like gum arabic and maltodextrin to be used in the process, yet not labeled.
The approval of Beetroot Red came after a petition from Phytolon, the Israeli biotech startup that created it.
It also came with new labeling rules so products using it can display “No Artificial Colors” despite this being made through synthetic biology.
This comes despite the primary safety profile being on a 90 day rat study and this compound NEVER being studied in humans.
The product was expected to hit US markets Monday but has been delayed - yet it is still coming.
Approval comes just months after artificial food dyes like Red 40 are being phased out of the food supply.
Most consumers had imagined it would be replaced with things like real beet juice, or how about this neat idea…not coloring our food?
Beetroot Red is a prime example of why we should be buying food from farmers and not lab coats.
Transcript
I wish this was fake, but the FDA actually just approved a man made dye that can use the label no artificial color. Despite its name, Beetroot Red contains no actual beets. It is produced through precision fermentation from a small sliver of DNA. That genetically engineered yeast is placed in industrial stainless steel fermentation tanks and fed simple sugars and minerals. Normally, they would have to disclose bioengineered food, but since the GMO DNA is absent in the final product, they were able to bypass this disclosure agreement. What the FDA also doesn't tell you is it allows common carrier agents like gum Arabic and maltodextrin to be used in the process, yet not labeled. Beetroot Red was also approved shortly after a petition was submitted by Phytolon, the Israeli biotech startup that created it. That approval also comes with new labeling rules, so products using it can display no artificial colors despite this being made through synthetic biology. And this is all while the primary safety profile is on a ninety day rat study and this compound never being studied in human. Product was expected to hit US markets this week, but has now been delayed, yet it is still coming. Timing is also pretty wild with artificial food dyes like Red tier just starting to be phased out of the food supply. I don't think it would be too far to say that most consumers would expect it would be replaced by real beet juice or paprika, or just no coloring our food. Beetroot Red is a clear example of why we should be eating our food from farmers and not people in lab coats. You can use Localize to find those small farmers near you.
