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Rule2026-057332026-03-24

Listing of Color Additive Exempt From Certification; Spirulina Extract; Delay of Effective Date

Health and Human Services Department, Food and Drug Administration

Abstract

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing a delay of the effective date of our February 6, 2026, final order to amend the color additive regulations to provide for the expanded safe use of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) extract as a color additive in human foods generally (except for infant formula, certain foods subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and foods for which standards of identity have been issued under section 401 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), unless the use of the added color is authorized by such standards) at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice (GMP); to lower the heavy metal specifications for lead, arsenic, and mercury; and to add a specification for cadmium. The delay of the effective date is required by law following the filing of timely objections and a request for a hearing on the final order. This announcement does not reflect a change in our determination that there is a reasonable certainty of no harm from the use of this color additive under the conditions of its intended use. In addition, this announcement does not constitute a determination that all of the issues raised in the submission constitute objections or that a hearing is justified on any objections or requests for a hearing that have been filed.

Action & Dates

Action
Final order; delay of effective date.
Dates
As of March 20, 2026, the effective date of the final order published February 6, 2026 (91 FR 5291) is delayed indefinitely. The Food and Drug Administration will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing a new effective date or other administrative action on the order.

CFR References

Document Excerpt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration 21 CFR Part 73 [Docket No. FDA-2024-C-3384] AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS. ACTION: Final order; delay of effective date. SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing a delay of the effective date of our February 6, 2026, final order to amend the color additive regulations to provide for the expanded safe use of spirulina ( Arthrospira platensis ) extract as a color additive in human foods generally (except for infant formula, certain foods subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and foods for which standards of identity have been issued under section 401 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), unless the use of the added color is authorized by such standards) at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice (GMP); to lower the heavy metal specifications for lead, arsenic, and mercury; and to add a specification for cadmium. The delay of the effective date is required by law following the filing of timely objections and a request for a hearing on the final order. This announcement does not reflect a change in our determination that there is a reasonable certainty of no harm from the use of this color additive under the conditions of its intended use. In addition, this announcement does not constitute a determination that all of the issues raised in the submission constitute objections or that a hearing is justified on any

Read full document on FederalRegister.gov →

Related Documents

Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.

Full Document

Citation: 91 FR 13966

Listing of Color Additive Exempt From Certification; Spirulina Extract; Delay of Effective Date — Federal Register 2026-05733 | Open Gov by Base