CPG Sec. 585.825 Sweet Potatoes - Dyeing of 
Yellow and Red Varieties 
BACKGROUND: 
Between 1940 and 1948 growers and shippers began to use artificially colored waxes on sweet 
potatoes and white potatoes. The Food and Drug Administration received many complaints from 
consumers who objected to the use of artificial colors, either because the practice was deceptive, 
or because the water soluble colors created a problem in their kitchens. In reply to these 
complaints and those received from State officials, the Food and Drug Administration replied 
that we could take action only if the colors used were poisonous or deleterious, the artificial 
color was not declared, or the colors served to conceal damage or inferiority or make the 
potatoes appear better or of greater value than they are. 
About 1961, The Sweet Potato Council of the United States became concerned about declining 
sales of sweet potatoes and concluded that this was in part due to the dissatisfaction of 
housewives who purchased the red dyed potatoes thinking they were getting a variety of sweet 
potato with naturally red skins. Therefore, in 1965, the Council asked Congress to enact 
legislation to outlaw the practice of dyeing sweet potatoes red if the practice could not be 
outlawed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 
Those FDA divisions within the Human and Animal Food Program in whose territories sweet 
potatoes were grown commercially were asked to investigate the allegations that the use of 
artificial red color concealed damage or inferiority, and made the sweet potatoes appear better or 
of greater value than they are. 
Their findings did not support a conclusion that the red dye concealed damage, but indicated that 
most users of sweet potatoes prefer the natural red varieties to the natural yellow varieties, and 
substantiated the claims made by industry representatives that red color is added to yellow 
varieties to make the unwary purchaser believe he is getting the preferred red variety. 
The Commissioner of Food and Drugs published a proposal to consider yellow varieties of sweet 
potatoes adulterated under Section 402(b) if artificially colored red. Most comments on this 
proposal were favorable. Some interested persons recommended that the policy be expanded to 
all varieties of sweet potatoes and to white (Irish) potatoes. 
The Commissioner concluded that the available information would not support an expansion of 
the proposed policy to cover all sweet and white potatoes. In the Federal Register of June 21, 
1968, a Statement of General Policy or Interpretation *(33 FR 9166, 6/21/68)* was published to 
the effect that yellow varieties of sweet potatoes colored with red dye are adulterated within the 
meaning of Section 402(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. We have been asked to  clarify our policy as to (1) the meaning of "yellow varieties of sweet potatoes," and (2) regarding 
use of red color on sweet potatoes with naturally red skins. 
 
 
POLICY: 
The expression "yellow varieties of sweet potatoes" is intended to include all sweet potatoes 
other than those having a naturally red outer skin. This includes those sweet potatoes whose 
skins might be described as white, orange, rust, gold, or any color other than naturally red. 
Regulatory action will not be initiated against sweet potatoes with naturally red skins which are 
dyed red unless: (1) the color additive (including adjuvants), is unsafe or is not used in accord 
with regulations to establish safe conditions of use; or (2) it can be demonstrated that the added 
color conceals damage or inferiority; or (3) the article fails to bear labeling stating the presence 
of artificial coloring. 
*Material between asterisks is new or revised.* 
Issued: 6/20/69 
Reissued: 10/1/80 
Revised: 12/8/88, 5/2005 
Updated: 11/29/05