Regulatory Watch

FDA confirms final rule regulating calcium carbonate use

Rule amends color additive regulations

FDA has confirmed an effective date of Dec. 8, 2017 for the final rule amending color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of calcium carbonate.

The rule was amended in November 2017 to allow the use of calcium carbonate to color soft and hard candies and mints, as well as in inks used on the surface of chewing gum. Calcium carbonate may not be used to color chocolate unless added color is authorized by the standards of identity that have been issued with section 401 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

During the comment period on the calcium carbonate rule change, two comments were received, but neither specified which provisions were considered objectionable. As a result, the effective date published in the Nov. 7, 2017 Federal Register has been confirmed.

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Casey Laughman is the former Editor in Chief of Food Engineering magazine. He has almost two decades’ experience as a writer and editor for mainstream and trade publications. He spent several years as a writer and editor for two news services before becoming the editor of a legal publication and managing editor of a trade magazine that covered the commercial facilities market.