FDA color additive pet food

21 CFR Part 73 (Color Additives) regulates color additives in pet food. Pet food-eligible colors: FD&C Yellow No. 5 (citrus red, FD&C Red No. 40) require batch certification; caramel color (21 CFR 73.85) exempt from batch certification; titanium dioxide (21 CFR 73.1, E171) is allowed as a whitening agent in some pet treats; astaxanthin (for salmon-colored kibble) is exempt as a natural pigment. The 2021 FDA reversal allowed titanium dioxide back in human food (after 2019 ban by EU) but pet food use of TiO2 is now under reassessment by FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Color additive labeling: 21 CFR 501.9 requires color additives to be declared by name (e.g., 'titanium dioxide', 'Yellow 5') in the ingredient list. Misleading color use (e.g., red dye to make brown food appear more meat-like) constitutes misbranding.