Artificial colourants certified by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in foods under the FD&C (Food, Drug and Cosmetic) Act. The current list covers FDC Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. Certification ensures batch-to-batch safety and purity. Certification involves FDA analysis of every batch for purity — limiting heavy metals, subsidiary colours and intermediates — unlike the EU system, which approves manufacturers rather than batches. Consumer pressure and clean-label trends are steadily shrinking the market share of certified colours in favour of natural alternatives.