The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) releases positive feedback on the risk assessment for Givaudan’s Everzure^® Galdieria, a vibrant natural alternative to the synthetic Brilliant Blue FCF (E133) colour.

Givaudan Sense Colour is announced that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has shared its scientific opinion, declaring the safety of blue galdieria extract for use as a food colour additive. Next, Everzure^® Galdieria will go to the European Commission to determine final authorisation.

Everzure^® Galdieria, is a natural colour additive made from Galdieria sulphuraria. Developed in collaboration with French biotech company Fermentalg, this novel phycocyanin blue is fermented and extracted from microalgae using patented processes. It offers a similar shade to spirulina, with complete traceability. And its acid stability broadens the scope of application and use beyond where spirulina can be used.

“We welcome this long-awaited news that Galdieria has received positive feedback following a thorough and intensive assessment,” says Barry Foley, regulatory director for Givaudan Sense Colour. ”This milestone reflects Givaudan’s ongoing commitment to supporting the regulatory pathways that bring these natural alternatives to market. We conducted rigorous testing of galdieria blue extract in food and beverage applications to support this assessment and take us one step closer to approval of galdieria as a colour additive in the EU.”

Leveraging Fermentalg’s expertise in blue biotechnology and precision fermentation, Everzure® Galdieria is sustainably produced via the controlled fermentation of the microalgae Galdieria sulphuraria, followed by a gentle water extraction. The proprietary process ensures consistent quality, efficient resource use, and scalable production—hallmarks of its leadership in algae-based innovation.

“Once it is fully approved by the European Commission, manufacturers will finally be able to achieve vibrant blues, greens, and purples in acidic applications like beverages and confections that were previously unattainable with spirulina. And its close colour match to Brilliant Blue will allow customers to create novel and exciting food experiences without compromising on naturalness,” says Nathalie Pauleau, global product manager for Givaudan Sense Colour.

Everzure^® Galdieria is currently approved for use and is available for sampling in the US.

The consumption of fresh apples is falling in Europe. We are losing consumers every single year. Revitalising the apple section and the range of apples offered is becoming essential.

And so Blue Whale^® has aimed to understand consumers around the world, as well as their expectations in terms of both products and the buying experience. ‘This understanding is key to revitalising consumption’, says Christelle Bertin, Director of Marketing & Communication at Blue Whale^®. ‘We are the recommended apple partner’, she adds. ‘In order to develop our knowledge of consumers and understand their expectations, we’ve been carrying out large-scale studies since 2022 in France and in several other countries around the world with MarketSense.’

Blue Whale^® has taken its learnings head on — there are 3 main reasons why consumers have moved away from eating apples:

• Disappointing experiences in terms of taste and texture.
• The trivialisation of apples and a desire to turn to other types of fruit.
• Diverse consumer profiles with different expectations that need to be met.

‘There are around a hundred varieties on the world apple market and over 70 varieties branded through clubs,’ explains Christelle Bertin. ‘Not all these varieties will be successful. However, a wide range on the shelf can strengthen the department if a consumer approach is prioritised.’

Drawing on what it has learnt and its consumer-centred approach after studying and gaining an understanding of what consumers want, Blue Whale^® has reworked how it offers assortments to customers.

‘Our offer, which is relevant from a taste and organoleptic perspective, goes hand in hand with activation work both inside and outside the point of sale. It’s a winning combination for reaching the hearts of consumers!’ explains Pauline Planté, Head of Marketing France at Blue Whale^®. ‘Five major consumer profiles have been updated in France with special expectations regarding apples: from diet addicts to gourmet foodies looking for sensory pleasure, as well as no-nonsense families. Cross-referencing certain consumption data from the Kantar panel has led to some truly interesting findings. For example, our all-new CANDINE is a sweet, crunchy and juicy variety, which is very well suited to the expectations of young consumers who are looking for a tasty apple that’s ideal for snacking’, she points out.

The categorical approach suggested by Blue Whale^® has been test-implemented at Leclerc for two months at some of its locations. The assortment recommended by the chain has been set up according to taste, with clear and attractive shelf markings to encourage shoppers to browse the range and discover new varieties. The average department shopping basket has increased, with the most popular innovations outperforming the rest. ‘We’ve got proof it works! A 46 % jump in revenue in the apple category!’ Christelle Bertin further explains, ‘The different varieties bring additional benefits to the department and meet different consumer expectations.’

Pauline Planté adds, ‘We’ve developed APPLE management expertise and are offering a 12-month global assortment to our French medium-to-large-sized supermarket customers to get their entire departments to perform better by satisfying consumers and boosting sales. We don’t just offer our varieties to push our volumes. We’re concerned about the entire department and include our competitors’ offers in our recommendations.’

To better highlight the offer, Blue Whale^® has developed and deployed POS advertising in the department to guide consumers’ buying choices. ‘We’ve updated the main consumer choice criteria: 1) taste 2) uses and expectations for apples,’ she says.

GNT gains regulatory approval for spirulina extract

GNT has secured U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the use of spirulina extract in beverages, enabling manufacturers to achieve vibrant blue shades while maintaining clean labels.

GNT, which supplies plant-based EXBERRY^® colour concentrates, has developed a patented formulation technology that allows spirulina extract to remain temperature- and acid-stabilised in beverages.

The EXBERRY^® Blue Beverage Solution is suitable for use in a wide range of applications including sports, energy, and carbonated drinks, juice drinks, enhanced waters, and alcoholic beverages below 20 % ABV.

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) had previously only permitted the use of spirulina extract as a natural blue colouring ingredient in certain food products and powdered beverages. However, GNT has now successfully petitioned the FDA to amend the regulation to cover all non-alcoholic beverages as well as alcoholic beverages below 20 % ABV. The update came into effect on December 13, 2022.

This means the EXBERRY^® Blue Beverage Solution can be used as a clean-label replacement for Blue 1 in the vast majority of drink applications. It delivers a bright turquoise blue shade in acidified beverages with a pH range between 2.6 to 3.4 and can be combined with other EXBERRY^® concentrates to deliver hues including navy blue, violet, and green.

Consumer interest in spirulina has increased exponentially over the past decade in step with the FDA’s approval of natural blue colors derived from spirulina extract for products including yogurt, ice cream, and confectionery.