[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 168 (Thursday, September 2, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49230-49234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18995]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

21 CFR Part 73

[Docket No. FDA-2018-C-4117]


Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Butterfly 
Pea Flower Extract

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is amending the 
color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of an aqueous 
extract of butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea) as a color additive 
in various food categories at levels consistent with good manufacturing 
practice. We are taking this action in response to a color additive 
petition (CAP) submitted by Exponent, Inc., on behalf of Sensient 
Colors, LLC (Sensient).

DATES: This rule is effective October 5, 2021. See section X for 
further information on the filing of objections. Submit either 
electronic or written objections and requests for a hearing on the 
final rule by October 4, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit objections and requests for a hearing as 
follows. Please note that late, untimely filed objections will not be 
considered. Electronic objections must be submitted on or before 
October 4, 2021. The https://www.regulations.gov electronic filing 
system will accept comments until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time at the end of 
October 4, 2021. Objections received by mail/hand delivery/courier (for 
written/paper submissions) will be considered timely if they are 
postmarked or the delivery service acceptance receipt is on or before 
that date.

Electronic Submissions

    Submit electronic objections in the following way:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Objections submitted 
electronically, including attachments, to https://www.regulations.gov 
will be posted to the docket unchanged. Because your objection will be 
made public, you are solely responsible for ensuring that your 
objection does not include any confidential information that you or a 
third party may not wish to be posted, such as medical information, 
your or anyone else's Social Security number, or confidential business 
information, such as a manufacturing process. Please note that if you 
include your name, contact information, or other information that 
identifies you in the body of your objection, that information will be 
posted on https://www.regulations.gov.
    <bullet> If you want to submit an objection with confidential 
information that you do not wish to be made available to the public, 
submit the objection as a written/paper submission and in the manner 
detailed (see ``Written/Paper Submissions'' and ``Instructions'').

Written/Paper Submissions

    Submit written/paper submissions as follows:
    <bullet> Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier (for written/paper 
submissions): Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug 
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
    <bullet> For written/paper objections submitted to the Dockets 
Management Staff, FDA will post your objection, as well as any 
attachments, except for information submitted, marked and identified, 
as confidential, if submitted as detailed in ``Instructions.''
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the Docket No. 
FDA-2018-C-4117 for ``Listing of Color Additives Exempt From 
Certification; Butterfly Pea Flower Extract.'' Received objections, 
those filed in a timely manner (see ADDRESSES), will be placed in the 
docket and, except for those submitted as ``Confidential Submissions,'' 
publicly viewable at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Dockets 
Management Staff between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 240-
402-7500.
    <bullet> Confidential Submissions--To submit an objection with 
confidential information that you do not wish to be made publicly 
available, submit your objections only as a written/paper submission. 
You should submit two copies total. One copy will include the 
information you claim to be confidential with a heading or cover note 
that states ``THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.'' We 
will review this copy, including the claimed confidential information, 
in our consideration of comments. The second copy, which will have the 
claimed confidential information redacted/blacked out, will be 
available for public viewing and posted on https://www.regulations.gov. 
Submit both copies to the Dockets Management Staff. If you do not wish 
your name and contact information to be made publicly available, you 
can provide this information on the cover sheet and not in the body of 
your comments and you must identify this information as 
``confidential.'' Any information marked as ``confidential'' will not 
be disclosed except in accordance with 21 CFR 10.20 and other 
applicable disclosure law. For more information about FDA's posting of 
comments to public dockets, see 80 FR 56469, September 18, 2015, or 
access the information at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2015-09-18/pdf/2015-23389.pdf.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
the electronic and written/paper comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and insert the docket number, found in brackets in 
the heading of this document, into the ``Search'' box and follow the 
prompts and/or go to the Dockets Management Staff, 5630 Fishers Lane, 
Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852, 240-402-7500.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen DiFranco, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus 
Dr., College Park, MD 20740-3835, 240-402-2710.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    In a notification published in the Federal Register of November 13, 
2018 (83 FR 56258), we announced that we filed a color additive 
petition (CAP 8C0313) submitted by Sensient Colors, LLC, c/o Exponent, 
Inc., 1150 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036. The 
petition proposed to amend the color additive regulations in part 73 
(21 CFR part 73), ``Listing of Color Additives Exempt from 
Certification,'' to provide for the safe use of an aqueous extract of 
butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea) as a color

[[Page 49231]]

additive in: (1) Alcoholic beverages (liquor, liqueurs, and flavored 
alcoholic beverages); \1\ (2) ready-to-drink non-alcoholic beverages; 
(3) liquid coffee creamers (dairy and non[hyphen]dairy); (4) ice cream 
and frozen dairy desserts; (5) fruit preparation in yogurt; (6) chewing 
gum; (7) coated nuts; (8) hard candy; and (9) soft candy, at levels 
consistent with good manufacturing practice (GMP).
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    \1\ The proposed scope was subsequently amended to include all 
alcoholic beverages.
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    The petition describes butterfly pea flower extract as a dark blue 
water-soluble extract derived from the flower petals of Clitoria 
ternatea.

II. Background

    The color additive that is subject of this petition is the dark 
blue liquid produced through the water extraction of the dried flower 
petals of Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as the butterfly pea plant. 
Butterfly pea flower extract contains 42 to 62 percent water, 22 to 43 
percent carbohydrates, and 8 to 12 percent proteins. The principal 
coloring components in butterfly pea flower extract are anthocyanins, 
mainly delphinidin derivatives. The extract also contains flavonols, 
mainly quercetin and kaempferol derivatives as minor components. These 
anthocyanins and flavonols are naturally present in various fruits and 
vegetables commonly consumed in the U.S. diet (Ref. 1).
    The color additive is manufactured by sourcing dried flowers of 
Clitoria ternatea. An infusion is prepared by adding demineralized 
water to the flower petals, which is separated from the plant mass via 
filtration. The butterfly pea flower extract is further processed by 
ultrafiltration to remove any residues of plant products greater than 
2,500 daltons (Da). The extract is then concentrated to a standardized 
liquid with an anthocyanin content of approximately 2 percent and 
pasteurized. Citric acid may be added to control the pH of the extract 
(Ref. 2).
    The petitioner proposed specifications for butterfly pea flower 
extract of less than 1 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) (1 part per 
million (ppm)) of arsenic, less than 1 mg/kg (1 ppm) of cadmium, less 
than 1 mg/kg (1 ppm) of lead, and less than 1 mg/kg (1 ppm) of mercury, 
and pH 3.75 <plus-minus> 0.75 in the butterfly pea flower extract. Upon 
consideration of the data in the petition and other information 
available to FDA, we amended the proposed specification for pH to not 
less than 3.0 and not more than 4.5 at 25 [deg]C (Ref. 2).
    The petitioner manufactures the extract starting with butterfly pea 
flowers grown without the use of added pesticide substances. The 
petition provides data to support its assertion that no detectable 
levels of 340 substances commonly used as pesticide are found in the 
finished extract. The flowers were analyzed using the California 
Department of Food and Agriculture multi-residue pesticide analysis 
(Ref. 3).
    Currently, there are no residual pesticide tolerance levels for 
Clitoria ternatea codified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
in 40 CFR part 180. In cases where no tolerance levels are set, the 
allowable residual pesticide levels that may remain on the raw 
agricultural commodity are zero (40 CFR 180.5). Under section 
402(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) (21 
U.S.C. 342(a)(2)(B)), food is adulterated if it bears or contains 
pesticide chemical residue that is unsafe within the meaning of section 
408(a) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 346a(a)).

III. Safety Evaluation

    Under section 721(b)(4) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 379e(b)(4)), a 
color additive may not be listed for a proposed use unless the data and 
information available to FDA establish that the color additive is safe 
for that use. Our color additive regulations at 21 CFR 70.3(i) define 
``safe'' to mean that there is convincing evidence establishing with 
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from the intended use of 
the color additive.
    To determine whether a color additive is safe under the general 
safety clause, the FD&C Act requires FDA to conduct a fair evaluation 
of the available data and consider, among other relevant factors: (1) 
Probable consumption of, or other relevant exposure from, the additive 
and of any substance formed in or on food, drugs or devices, or 
cosmetics because of the use of the additive; (2) cumulative effect, if 
any, of such additive in the diet of man or animals, taking into 
account chemically or pharmacologically related substance or substances 
in such diet; and (3) safety factors recognized by experts ``as 
appropriate for the use of animal experimentation data'' (see section 
721(b)(5)(A) through (C) of the FD&C Act).
    As part of our safety evaluation to establish with reasonable 
certainty that a color additive is not harmful under its intended 
conditions of use, we consider the additive's manufacturing and 
stability; the projected human dietary exposure to the additive and any 
impurities resulting from the petitioned use of the additive; the 
additive's toxicological data; and other relevant information (such as 
published literature) available to us.

IV. Safety of Petitioned Use of the Color Additive

A. Exposure Estimate

    The petitioner requested that butterfly pea flower extract be 
permitted at levels consistent with GMP and provided the maximum use 
levels for the color additive, representing GMP, for each proposed food 
use (Ref. 4). The petitioner used food consumption data from the 2011-
2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to 
estimate exposure to butterfly pea flower extract from the proposed 
uses. Upon further clarification of the proposed uses to include all 
alcoholic beverages (Ref. 5), we amended the petitioner's exposure 
estimate to include all alcoholic beverages (Ref. 4).
    Using food consumption data from the 2011-2014 NHANES, we estimated 
the eaters-only exposure to butterfly pea flower extract to be 198 
milligrams per person per day (198 mg/p/d) at the mean and 453 mg/p/d 
at the 90th percentile for the U.S. population aged 2 years and older 
and 56 mg/p/d at the mean and 118 mg/p/d at the 90th percentile for 
children 2 to 5 years of age (Ref. 4).
    The petition indicated that butterfly pea flower extract could 
contain up to 2 percent anthocyanins (by weight). Assuming a maximum of 
2 percent, we estimated the dietary exposure to anthocyanins from the 
proposed uses to be 4 mg/p/d at the mean and 9 mg/p/d at the 90th 
percentile for the U.S. population 2 years of age and older (Ref. 4). 
Because delphinidin was stated to be the principal anthocyanin in 
butterfly pea flower extract, the exposure to anthocyanins represents 
the exposure to delphinidin from the proposed uses of butterfly pea 
flower extract.
    Similarly, we estimated the dietary exposure to quercetin resulting 
from the proposed uses of butterfly pea flower extract. The petition 
indicates that butterfly pea flower contains approximately 3 percent 
(by weight) of flavonols, which are comprised of various quercetin and 
kaempferol derivatives. We conservatively presumed that all the 
flavonols present in butterfly pea flower extract were present as 
quercetin (see below) and estimated quercetin exposure to be 6 mg/p/d 
at the mean and 14 mg/p/d at the 90th percentile for the U.S. 
population 2 years of age and older (Ref. 4).

[[Page 49232]]

B. Toxicological Considerations

    To establish that butterfly pea flower extract is safe for use as a 
color additive for the proposed uses, the petitioner used a weight-of-
evidence approach based on: (1) Toxicological information about the 
extract's major coloring component, delphinidin, including a 2013 
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) review of anthocyanins (Ref. 6); 
(2) a 28-day subacute range finding feeding study in rats; (3) a 90-day 
feeding study in rats; (4) a bacterial reverse mutation test and an in 
vitro micronucleous test addressing possible mutagenicity and 
genotoxicity of butterfly pea flower extract; (5) an in vivo somatic 
mutation and recombination test conducted on the unprocessed butterfly 
pea flower parts; (6) in vivo genotoxicity data from published 
literature on anthothyanins (including delphinidin) and flavonol 
components (Refs. 7 and 8); (7) clinical human studies of anthocyanins 
(including delphinidin) and spray-dried butterfly pea flower extract; 
(8) clinical studies of quercetin and kaempferol, the primary flavonols 
present; (9) a proteomic assessment of butterfly pea flower extract 
aimed at establishing that cyclotides found in the tissues of Clitoria 
ternatea are not present in the butterfly pea flower extract; and (10) 
an allergenicity assessment of butterfly pea flower extract.
    We reviewed the oral toxicity studies and agree with the 
petitioner's conclusions that the no observed adverse effect level in 
the 90-day study is the highest dose tested (3,500 mg/kg/d of butterfly 
pea flower extract), which is nearly 500-fold of the 90th percentile 
daily exposure for U.S. population 2 years and older (Ref. 9). While 
chronic studies were not provided by the petitioner nor available from 
the published literature, we believe that chronic toxicity from the 
intended use of butterfly pea flower extract is unlikely because: (1) 
We did not identify any potential toxicity effects associated with the 
use of either butterfly pea flower extract or its anthocyanins and 
flavonol components from literature that warrant further chronic 
toxicity studies (Refs. 9 and 10); (2) the systemic oral absorption of 
anthocyanins and flavonols is generally low (Ref. 9); (3) there are 
available human clinical studies indicating that the main anthocyanins 
and flavonol components of butterfly pea flower extract are well 
tolerated in humans (Ref. 9); and (4) anthocyanins and flavonols are 
naturally present and widely distributed in many plants used as food, 
and the exposures to anthocyanins and flavonols from the use of 
butterfly pea flower extract were estimated to be comparable or lower 
than the exposure from a typical diet (Ref. 11).
    We also did not find any scientific data suggesting reproductive or 
developmental toxicity; moreover, the genotoxicity studies demonstrate 
that butterfly pea flower extract is non-mutagenic and non-genotoxic 
(Ref. 9).
    Based on the totality of evidence and a weight of evidence analysis 
that considered the lack of overall genotoxicity, mode of action, and 
the level of exposure, we conclude that butterfly pea flower extract is 
not likely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans at its intended use 
levels (Refs. 9 and 10).
    Among the available relevant clinical studies, one study of 
butterfly pea flower extract indicated no acute adverse effect at doses 
up to 2 grams per person. Other clinical studies, using either 
anthocyanins or flavonols, suggested tolerance at doses much higher 
than the exposure level from the consumption of butterfly pea flower 
extract under the intended condition of use (Ref. 9).
    The petitioner provided analytical evidence demonstrating that the 
cyclotides identified in butterfly pea flower petals were not detected 
in the butterfly pea flower extract. Therefore, there is no toxicity 
concern for cyclotides from the consumption of the extract (Ref. 9).
    Although there is no evidence in the scientific literature 
specifically suggesting that either Clitoria ternatea flowers or the 
coloring component delphinidin is associated with allergic or 
hypersensitive reactions, we note that butterfly pea flower extract 
contains 8 to 12 percent protein by weight. To address the 
allergenicity potential of butterfly pea flower extract, the petitioner 
provided bioinformatic analyses of the 193 protein sequences of 
Clitoria ternatea identified in the National Center for Biotechnology 
Information protein database. These protein sequences were compared for 
similarity with the known allergenic protein sequences collected in the 
AllergenOnline database (Ref. 12). The analysis revealed five protein 
sequence matches (defined as 35 percent or higher identity over an 80-
amino-acid sliding window); however, these proteins are expected to be 
over 5,000 Da and not likely to pass through the 2,500 Da 
ultrafiltration system used in the manufacturing process. To mitigate 
the possible risk that allergenic proteins and other large peptides 
might pose, our regulation at 21 CFR 73.69(a)(1) requires that the 
aqueous extract used to produce the color additive undergo 
ultrafiltration. We agree with the petitioner that the totality of the 
evidence supports the conclusion that it is extremely unlikely that the 
proteins in butterfly pea flower extract could act as allergens (Ref. 
9).

V. Conclusion

    Based on the data and information in the petition and other 
available relevant information, we conclude that the petitioned use of 
butterfly pea flower extract as a color additive in: Alcoholic 
beverages, sport and energy drinks, flavored or carbonated water, fruit 
drinks (including smoothies and grain drinks), carbonated soft drinks 
(fruit-flavored or juice, ginger ale, and root beer), fruit and 
vegetable juice, nutritional beverages, chewing gum, teas, coated nuts, 
liquid coffee creamers (dairy and non-dairy), ice cream and frozen 
dairy desserts, hard candy, dairy and non-dairy drinks, fruit 
preparations in yogurts, and soft candy is safe, provided the amount of 
butterfly pea flower extract does not exceed levels consistent with 
good manufacturing practice.
    We further conclude that this color additive will achieve its 
intended technical effect and is suitable for the petitioned use. 
Therefore, we are amending the color additive regulations in part 73 to 
provide for the safe use of this color additive as set forth in this 
document. In addition, based on the factors in 21 CFR 71.20(b), we 
conclude that batch certification of butterfly pea flower extract is 
not necessary to protect the public health.

VI. Public Disclosure

    In accordance with Sec.  71.15 (21 CFR 71.15), the petition and the 
documents that we considered and relied upon in reaching our decision 
to approve the petition will be made available for public disclosure 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). As provided in Sec.  71.15, we 
will delete from the documents any materials that are not available for 
public disclosure.

VII. Analysis of Environmental Impact

    As stated in the November 13, 2018, Federal Register notification 
of filing, the petitioner claimed that this action is categorically 
excluded under Sec.  25.32(k) (21 CFR 25.32(k)) because butterfly pea 
flower extract would be added directly to food and is intended to 
remain in the food through ingestion by consumers and is not intended 
to replace macronutrients in food. We further stated that if FDA 
determines a categorical exclusion applies, neither an environmental 
assessment nor an

[[Page 49233]]

environmental impact statement is required. We did not receive any new 
information or comments regarding this claim of categorical exclusion. 
We considered the petitioner's claim of categorical exclusion and 
determined that this action is categorically excluded under Sec.  
25.32(k). Therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an 
environmental impact statement is required.

VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    This final rule contains no collection of information. Therefore, 
clearance by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 is not required.

IX. Section 301(ll) of the FD&C Act

    Our review of this petition was limited to section 721 of the FD&C 
Act. This final rule is not a statement regarding compliance with other 
sections of the FD&C Act. For example, section 301(ll) of the FD&C Act 
(21 U.S.C. 331(ll)) prohibits the introduction or delivery for 
introduction into interstate commerce of any food that contains a drug 
approved under section 505 of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 355), a 
biological product licensed under section 351 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262), or a drug or biological product for which 
substantial clinical investigations have been instituted and their 
existence has been made public, unless one of the exemptions in section 
301(ll)(1) to (4) of the FD&C Act applies. In our review of this 
petition, we did not consider whether section 301(ll) of the FD&C Act 
or any of its exemptions apply to food containing this color additive. 
Accordingly, this final rule should not be construed to be a statement 
that a food containing this color additive, if introduced or delivered 
for introduction into interstate commerce, would not violate section 
301(ll) of the FD&C Act. Furthermore, this language is included in all 
color additive final rules that pertain to food and therefore should 
not be construed to be a statement of the likelihood that section 
301(ll) of the FD&C Act applies.

X. Objections

    This rule is effective as shown in the DATES section, except as to 
any provisions that may be stayed by the filing of proper objections. 
If you will be adversely affected by one or more provisions of this 
regulation, you may file with the Dockets Management Staff (see 
ADDRESSES) either electronic or written objections. You must separately 
number each objection, and within each numbered objection you must 
specify with particularity the provision(s) to which you object, and 
the grounds for your objection. Within each numbered objection, you 
must specifically state whether you are requesting a hearing on the 
particular provision that you specify in that numbered objection. If 
you do not request a hearing for any particular objection, you waive 
the right to a hearing on that objection. If you request a hearing, 
your objection must include a detailed description and analysis of the 
specific factual information you intend to present in support of the 
objection in the event that a hearing is held. If you do not include 
such a description and analysis for any particular objection, you waive 
the right to a hearing on the objection.
    Any objections received in response to the regulation may be seen 
in the Dockets Management Staff between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, and will be posted to the docket at https://www.regulations.gov. We will publish notice of the objections that we 
have received or lack thereof in the Federal Register.

XI. References

    The following references marked with an asterisk (*) are on display 
at the Dockets Management Staff (see ADDRESSES) and are available for 
viewing by interested persons between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday; they also are available electronically at https://www.regulations.gov. References without asterisks are not on public 
display at https://www.regulations.gov because they have copyright 
restriction. Some may be available at the website address, if listed. 
References without asterisks are available for viewing only at the 
Dockets Management Staff. FDA has verified the website addresses, as of 
the date this document publishes in the Federal Register, but websites 
are subject to change over time.

    1. *Wu, X., G. R. Beecher, J. M. Holden, et al., 
``Concentrations of Anthocyanins in Common Foods in the United 
States and Estimation of Normal Consumption.'' Journal of 
Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54: 4069-4075, 2006.
    2. *Memorandum from B. Petigara Harp, Color Technology Branch, 
Division of Color Certification and Technology, Office of Cosmetics 
and Colors, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), 
FDA, to S. DiFranco, Division of Food Ingredients (DFI), Office of 
Food Additive Safety (OFAS), CFSAN, FDA, June 4, 2021.
    3. Lee, S. M., M. L. Papathakis, H-M. C. Feng, et al., 
``Multipesticide Residue Method for Fruits and Vegetables: 
California Department of Food and Agriculture.'' Fresenius' Journal 
of Analytical Chemistry, 339, 376-383, 1991.
    4. *Memorandum from D. Doell, Chemistry Review Team, DFI, OFAS, 
CFSAN, FDA, to S. DiFranco, DFI, OFAS, CFSAN, FDA, June 7, 2021.
    5. *Memorandum of Teleconference from S. DiFranco, Regulatory 
Review Team, DFI, OFAS, CFSAN, FDA, to the file, April 7, 2020.
    6. *EFSA, ``Scientific Opinion on the Re-evaluation of 
Anthocyanins (E163) as a Food Additive.'' EFSA Journal, 11(4): 3145, 
2013.
    7. *NTP, ``Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Quercetin 
(CAS No. 117-39-5) in F344 Rats (Feed Studies).'' NTP Technical 
Report Series, No. 409, 1992.
    8. Hard, G. C., J. C. Seeley, L. J. Betz, et al., ``Re-
evaluation of the Kidney Tumors and Renal Histopathology Occurring 
in a 2-Year Rat Carcinogenicity Bioassay of Quercetin.'' Food and 
Chemical Toxicology, 45: 600-608, 2007.
    9. *Memorandum from Y. Zang, Toxicology Review Team, DFI, OFAS, 
CFSAN, FDA, to S. DiFranco, DFI, OFAS, CFSAN, FDA, June 9, 2021.
    10. *Memorandum from S. Mog and S. Francke to Y. Zang. Pathology 
Consultation Review on Renal Neoplasms in Male F344 rats from 
National Toxicology Program Technical Report (NTP TR 409) on 
Quercetin in F344/N Rats (feed studies), October 31, 2019.
    11. *USDA. ``Table 1a. Flavonoids from Food and Beverages: Mean 
Intake (standard error) per Individuals, by Gender and Age, in the 
United States, What We Eat in America.'' NHANES 2007-2010, 2016.
    12. Goodman R. E., M. Ebisawa, F. Ferreira, et al., 
``AllergenOnline: A Peer-reviewed, Curated Allergen Database to 
Assess Novel Food Proteins for Potential Cross-reactivity.'' 
Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, 60(5):1183-1198, 2016.

List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 73

    Color additives, Cosmetics, Drugs, Foods, Medical devices.

    Therefore, 21 CFR part 73 is amended as follows:

PART 73--LISTING OF COLOR ADDITIVES EXEMPT FROM CERTIFICATION

0
1. The authority citation for part 73 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321, 341, 342, 343, 348, 351, 352, 355, 
361, 362, 371, 379e.


0
2. Add Sec.  73.69 to subpart A to read as follows:


Sec.  73.69  Butterfly pea flower extract.

    (a) Identity. (1) The color additive butterfly pea flower extract 
is a dark blue liquid prepared by the aqueous extraction of dried 
butterfly pea flowers from Clitoria ternatea. The extract is further 
processed by ultrafiltration to remove residues of plant products, 
followed by concentration and pasteurization. Citric acid may be used 
to control the pH. The color additive

[[Page 49234]]

contains anthocyanins as the principal coloring component.
    (2) Color additive mixtures for food use made with butterfly pea 
flower extract may contain only those diluents that are suitable and 
are listed in this subpart as safe for use in color additive mixtures 
for coloring foods.
    (b) Specifications. Butterfly pea flower extract must conform to 
the following specifications and must be free from impurities, other 
than those named, to the extent that such other impurities may be 
avoided by good manufacturing practice:
    (1) pH, not less than 3.0 and not more than 4.5 at 25 [deg]C.
    (2) Lead, not more than 1 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) (1 part 
per million (ppm)).
    (3) Arsenic, not more than 1 mg/kg (1 ppm).
    (4) Mercury, not more than 1 mg/kg (1 ppm).
    (5) Cadmium, not more than 1 mg/kg (1 ppm).
    (c) Uses and restrictions. Butterfly pea flower extract may be 
safely used for coloring alcoholic beverages, sport and energy drinks, 
flavored or carbonated water, fruit drinks (including smoothies and 
grain drinks), carbonated soft drinks (fruit-flavored or juice, ginger 
ale, and root beer), fruit and vegetable juice, nutritional beverages, 
chewing gum, teas, coated nuts, liquid coffee creamers (dairy and non-
dairy), ice cream and frozen dairy desserts, hard candy, dairy and non-
dairy drinks, fruit preparations in yogurts, and soft candy in amounts 
consistent with good manufacturing practice, except that it may not be 
used for coloring foods for which standards of identity have been 
issued under section 401 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 
unless the use of added color is authorized by such standards.
    (d) Labeling requirements. The label of the color additive and any 
mixtures prepared therefrom intended solely or in part for coloring 
purposes must conform to the requirements of Sec.  70.25 of this 
chapter.
    (e) Exemption from certification. Certification of this color 
additive is not necessary for the protection of the public health and 
therefore batches are exempt from the certification requirements of 
section 721(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

    Dated: August 30, 2021.
Lauren K. Roth,
Acting Principal Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2021-18995 Filed 9-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164-01-P