Phytolon and Ginkgo Bioworks Reach Key Milestone in Natural Food Colors as FDA Moves to Ban Synthetic Dyes

Phytolon and Ginkgo Bioworks have achieved a significant milestone in improving the production of natural food colors, with a nearly threefold increase in efficiency of yeast strains used to produce Beetroot Red and Prickly Pear Yellow pigments. This advancement, facilitated by Ginkgo's AI-driven modeling and screening, enhances the quality and performance standards across various food applications, while also reducing costs and the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process.

With growing regulatory scrutiny and consumer demand for cleaner, more sustainable ingredients, the partnership between Phytolon and Ginkgo positions them well to introduce natural food colors into the US market pending FDA approval. This comes as the FDA moves to ban synthetic dyes, citing health concerns, and promotes the use of natural alternatives in the food industry. The collaboration between the two companies has not only strengthened their partnership but also set the stage for future projects to expand the natural color palette and innovate in the market.