The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Jagua (genipin-glycine) Blue, releasing various natural colour opportunities in blue, green, purple and brown. The pigment is derived from the jaguar fruit and is responsibly sourced in Colombia from small farmers and indigenous communities.

The announcement marks an achievement for Ecoflora Cares, the Certified B Company which developed and patented the technology and production process as well as petitioned for the product’s approval. Jagua Blue, which comes from the fruit of the jaguar tree, is claimed to be a safe and vibrant blue colour that can be blended with other natural colours to create vivid shades. This is said to be the first acid-stable natural blue to be approved by the FDA, and is the only Jagua blue approved.

Oterra will collaborate with Ecoflora Cares and leverage its own scientific and application expertise to introduce and grow Jagua Blue in the US food and beverage market.

Mads Winther Dehlsen, Oterra CEO, said, “This partnership is an example of our Together towards Natural sustainability strategy put into action. It’s answering the food and beverage market’s longstanding need for a robust natural blue. Ecoflora Cares’ expertise is a perfect match for Oterra’s, and together we’re excited about this unique natural blue that meets the needs of our customers, their consumers and the planet.”

Ecoflora Cares has developed sustainable supply chain solutions for this Colombian grown fruit. The jagua trees are under agroforestry and silvopastoral plantations as a nature-based solution. In its supplier development program, Ecoflora Cares has provided technical accompaniment, family mentoring and supplier knowledge to the farmers and indigenous communities who cultivate the jagua.

Luc Ganivet, Oterra Chief Innovation Officer, said, “Given its high colour concentration and its robustness towards heat, light and acidity, Jagua Blue is an easy-to-use, cost-effective natural blue. It means manufacturers can now create natural shades of green and purple that were previously impossible to achieve without using artificial colours.”