Gardenia blue is the fourth color derived from natural sources approved by the FDA for use in foods as part of its aim to phase out the use of petroleum-based dyes.
The acquisition includes the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of WK Kellogg Co's portfolio of breakfast cereals across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
The proposed $36 billion acquisition has received all but one of 28 required regulatory clearances. Antitrust review by the European Commission is ongoing.
The company says 90% of its products don’t contain FD&C colors, but for those that do, they will work to remove or replace FD&C colors by the end of 2027.