Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood ingredient and natural color additive input (dehydrated beets/beet powder) for U.S. food and dietary-supplement supply chains
Market
In the United States, red beet powder used for coloring aligns with FDA’s listed color additive “Dehydrated beets (beet powder)” (21 CFR 73.40), which may be used to color foods generally under good manufacturing practice and must meet specified identity and purity/contaminant limits. U.S. use is shaped by FDA compliance expectations for color additive labeling (21 CFR 70.25) and by broader food CGMP and preventive-control frameworks (21 CFR 117) for facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food. For imported beet powder intended for U.S. use, FDA Prior Notice requirements apply, and U.S. importers may be subject to Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) obligations to verify the foreign supplier’s controls. As a shelf-stable processed vegetable ingredient, beet powder is commonly positioned in U.S. formulations as a natural red/pink color source, which increases the importance of lot-level specification control and documentation to avoid FDA enforcement actions tied to illegal/undeclared color issues.
Market RoleDomestic manufacturing and consumer market with a defined FDA color additive listing for beet powder; use spans food manufacturing and dietary supplement ingredient supply chains
Domestic RoleFormulation ingredient used by U.S. manufacturers for coloring foods (where permitted) and for vegetable powder/supplement-style applications, subject to applicable FDA and (when organic claims are made) USDA organic labeling rules
SeasonalityFresh beets are a seasonal U.S. produce item (commonly summer, fall, and winter availability), but beet powder as a dehydrated ingredient can be supplied year-round through processing and storage.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Dark red powder (identity for the FDA-listed color additive “Dehydrated beets (beet powder)” in 21 CFR 73.40).
Compositional Metrics- Volatile matter: not more than 4% (21 CFR 73.40).
- Acid insoluble ash: not more than 0.5% (21 CFR 73.40).
- Lead (as Pb): not more than 10 ppm (21 CFR 73.40).
- Arsenic (as As): not more than 1 ppm (21 CFR 73.40).
- Mercury (as Hg): not more than 1 ppm (21 CFR 73.40).
Grades- If sourcing whole beets domestically as an input, USDA AMS publishes grade standards for beets (e.g., U.S. No. 1 and U.S. No. 2) that can be used as a procurement reference for raw material quality prior to dehydration.
Packaging- If marketed as a color additive (or a color additive mixture) for U.S. use, labeling must conform to FDA color additive labeling requirements in 21 CFR 70.25 (referenced by 21 CFR 73.40(d)).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Raw beets procurement (e.g., USDA-grade input where applicable) → cleaning/sorting → dehydration → milling to powder → lot testing against 21 CFR 73.40 specifications → packaging/labeling (21 CFR 70.25 where applicable) → distribution to U.S. manufacturers/importers
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighA primary deal-breaker risk for red beet powder in the U.S. is FDA non-compliance when the product is used/marketed as a color additive: failure to meet 21 CFR 73.40 identity/specifications (including heavy metal limits) and applicable color additive labeling requirements (21 CFR 70.25) can trigger detention, refusal, and enforcement actions; broader FDA import enforcement includes DWPE import alerts for foods with illegal and/or undeclared colors.Use a compliance specification aligned to 21 CFR 73.40; implement routine third-party testing for volatile matter, acid insoluble ash, and Pb/As/Hg; ensure color additive labeling conforms to 21 CFR 70.25 where applicable; retain lot-level documentation for audits and import entry support.
Import Controls MediumImported beet powder can be held or refused if FDA Prior Notice is missing/inadequate or if the importer is not in compliance with FSVP obligations; FDA uses import controls and can apply detention without physical examination (DWPE) mechanisms, including DWPE alerts tied to FSVP non-compliance.File FDA Prior Notice correctly and on time; ensure the U.S. importer has an FSVP program covering the product and supplier, with current records available for FDA review.
Food Safety MediumEven when beet powder is exempt from FDA batch certification as a color additive, FDA emphasizes identity/purity compliance and contaminant control for color additives, and heavy metal contaminants are a recurring enforcement sensitivity area for foods.Adopt a contaminant control plan consistent with FDA expectations (including supplier qualification and routine analytical verification) and align acceptance criteria to the applicable CFR listing specifications and risk assessments.
Logistics LowWhile beet powder is shelf-stable relative to fresh produce, international freight disruptions can still delay ingredient availability for time-bound manufacturing runs, especially when production relies on imported lots subject to FDA entry screening and documentary review.Use buffer inventory for critical SKUs and maintain alternate qualified suppliers; keep entry documentation and test records complete to reduce avoidable holds.
Sustainability- Soil/ingredient contaminant management is a practical sustainability and compliance theme because FDA’s listing for dehydrated beets (beet powder) includes heavy metal limits (Pb/As/Hg) and FDA’s broader contaminants focus emphasizes reducing dietary exposure to toxic elements.
FAQ
Is red beet powder allowed as a food color additive in the United States?Yes. FDA lists “Dehydrated beets (beet powder)” in 21 CFR 73.40 as a color additive that may be used to color foods generally in amounts consistent with good manufacturing practice, with specific restrictions (including limits tied to foods with standards of identity).
What purity and contaminant specifications apply to dehydrated beets (beet powder) under U.S. regulations?Under 21 CFR 73.40, dehydrated beets (beet powder) must meet specifications including volatile matter not more than 4%, acid insoluble ash not more than 0.5%, and heavy metal limits of lead (as Pb) not more than 10 ppm, arsenic (as As) not more than 1 ppm, and mercury (as Hg) not more than 1 ppm.
If beet powder is imported into the U.S., what FDA import compliance steps commonly apply?Imported food generally requires FDA Prior Notice under 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart I (filed through CBP’s interface or FDA’s PNSI). U.S. importers may also need an FSVP program and records under 21 CFR Part 1, Subpart L to verify that the foreign supplier produces the food in a manner that meets applicable U.S. requirements.
Does beet powder used as a color additive require FDA batch certification?No. 21 CFR 73.40 states that certification is not necessary for the protection of the public health for this color additive, so batches are exempt from the color additive certification requirements; however, the product still must meet identity, specifications, and labeling requirements.