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Phytolon and Ginkgo Bioworks: A New Era in Natural Food Colors

In a significant development for the food industry, Phytolon, a pioneering biotech-foodtech startup, along with Ginkgo Bioworks, has successfully reached a major milestone in their joint initiative aimed at producing natural food colors. Announced on April 30, 2025, this collaboration marks a crucial step forward in the quest for vibrant, naturally-derived food color alternatives that meet the growing consumer demand and regulatory pressures against artificial dyes.

The Evolution of Natural Color Production
Phytolon utilizes innovative fermentation techniques involving baker's yeast to produce natural food colors. As the industry shifts away from artificial dyes, largely due to health concerns and increasing regulations, the collaboration between Phytolon and Ginkgo Bioworks stands out as a beacon of hope. The recent success in enhancing the manufacturing efficiency of these natural colors nearly triples production capabilities while significantly lowering costs.

This accomplishment not only reflects the technological advancements but also the increasing necessity for the food industry to pivot towards safer and more sustainable ingredient sourcing.

Addressing Regulatory Pressures
The shift towards natural colors is becoming a national priority, as noted by developments in regulatory landscapes in the U.S. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has prioritized the removal of synthetic colors, a sentiment echoed by FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, who aims to eliminate synthetic colors from the U.S. food supply by 2026. Given that FDC Red No. 3 has already been banned due to potential cancer risks, the momentum for natural alternatives is palpable, creating lucrative market opportunities.

Collaboration and Innovation
The partnership, established in 2022, initially focused on developing yeast strains capable of producing two vibrant natural colors. Following their first major milestone, which expanded the color palette to include shades from yellow to purple, Ginkgo Bioworks leveraged its expertise in artificial intelligence to enhance production capabilities. The result? A remarkable increase in strain productivity—nearly three times higher than before—allowing Phytolon to create high-quality formulations tailored to various food applications, including baked goods, snacks, dairy products, and more.

Environmental and Economic Benefits
The improved efficiencies are particularly critical not only in terms of meeting consumer demand but also for reducing the carbon footprint associated with food coloring production. Phytolon’s fermentation process is less energy-intensive compared to traditional natural colors, which often rely on extensive agricultural practices and resource-heavy processing methods.

Product Launch and Market Readiness
As a direct outcome of this collaboration, Phytolon is set to introduce products like “Beetroot Red” and “Prickly Pear Yellow” into the U.S. market, pending FDA approval. Thus, making these sustainable products available to consumers aligns perfectly with the clean label movement that advocates for transparency and health in the food production process.

Looking Ahead
The completion of this milestone also entails Ginkgo receiving additional equity in Phytolon. This partnership is expected to expand further, laying the groundwork for more such projects that will not only enhance product offerings but also redefine the market for food colorants.

Wissam Mansour, Phytolon’s Chief Product Officer, expressed excitement about the future, stating, “The vibrant colors poised for delivery will empower the food industry to harness the full potential of natural pigments like beet and prickly pear—previously unavailable in such purity and quality.”

Jennifer Wipf, Ginkgo's General Manager of Discovery & Manufacturing Solutions, lauded the collaborative effort: “Working with Phytolon has been rewarding. Our combined expertise has made it possible to create a full spectrum of food colors, representing a significant shift in how the industry approaches flavor and visibility in food products.”

As Phytolon and Ginkgo Bioworks pave the way for a new era of food color production, they not only address consumer preferences but also embody a sustainable future in the food industry. The trajectory of their partnership promises more innovative breakthroughs, propelling us into a world where natural is not just an alternative, but the standard.