Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood ingredient (including use as a color additive in foods)
Market
Beet powder in the United States is used as an ingredient in processed foods and beverages, including applications where it provides natural red color under U.S. FDA color additive rules. The U.S. functions as a large domestic consumer and processing market, supplied by both domestic production and imports depending on supplier capability and buyer specifications.
Market RoleLarge domestic consumer and processing market (mixed domestic production and imports)
Domestic RoleB2B ingredient for food and beverage manufacturing, including natural color applications regulated by FDA
Specification
Supply Chain
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory HighNon-compliance with U.S. FDA color additive requirements can block sale or entry when beet powder is used/represented for food-coloring purposes (e.g., not meeting the applicable listing conditions under 21 CFR 73.40).Confirm intended use (color additive vs. conventional ingredient), align product identity/specs and labeling to FDA requirements, and keep supporting documentation (COA, formulation/use statements) ready for customer and regulator review.
Food Safety MediumAs a dehydrated plant-based powder, beet powder can present food-safety risks if GMPs and hazard controls are weak; FDA preventive controls expectations can drive audits, corrective actions, or enforcement following contamination concerns.Operate under 21 CFR Part 117 preventive controls with validated sanitation controls, supplier controls, and appropriate finished-product and environmental monitoring where justified by the hazard analysis.
Documentation Gap MediumImport clearance delays can occur if FDA Prior Notice is missing/incorrect or if importer FSVP documentation is incomplete for the shipment.Pre-align shipper, broker, and importer checklists for Prior Notice, entry data, and FSVP responsibilities; run pre-shipment document reconciliation against the importer’s SOP.
Labor & Social- Worker safety and dust exposure control in milling/handling operations (facility EHS and OSHA compliance expectations).
FAQ
Is beet powder permitted as a color additive in foods in the United States?Yes. FDA lists beet powder as a color additive exempt from certification under 21 CFR 73.40, and it must be used and labeled in line with that regulation’s conditions.
Which U.S. FDA food safety rule commonly applies to manufacturing beet powder for food use?Manufacturing is generally expected to follow FDA’s food facility GMPs and, where required by the hazard analysis, preventive controls under 21 CFR Part 117 (FSMA preventive controls for human food).
What are common U.S. import compliance steps for beet powder shipments?Imported food shipments typically require FDA Prior Notice before arrival and CBP entry filing; depending on the supply chain, the U.S. importer may also need to maintain FSVP documentation to verify supplier controls.
Sources
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 21 CFR 73.40 — Beet powder (color additive exempt from certification)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 21 CFR Part 117 — Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart L — Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) for Importers of Food
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart I — Prior Notice of Imported Food
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — U.S. import entry and cargo release processing (ACE)
United States International Trade Commission (USITC) — Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)