Food labels may look the same but mean something new starting now

• No artificial colors can now be used on food labels even if natural dyes are added.

• FDA will let companies use these claims voluntarily without penalty.

• New natural color options are approved to help phase out synthetic dyes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a shift in how it interprets no artificial colors.

Under the new approach, food makers may use statements like Made without artificial food colors or No artificial colorings on labels as long as the product doesnt contain petroleum-based synthetic dyes.

That means if a drink or snack is colored with FDA-approved natural sources like spirulina extract or beetroot red it can still wear that reassuring phrase.

We acknowledge that calling colors derived from natural sources artificial might be confusing for consumers and a hindrance for companies to explore alternative food coloring options, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., said in a news release

Were taking away that hindrance and making it easier for companies to use these colors in the foods our families eat every day.

Moving away from synthetic dyes

This isnt a mandatory rule that companies must follow its voluntary and backed by what the FDA calls enforcement discretion. In practice, that means the agency wont take legal action against companies that use these claims appropriately, even though theyre technically loosening the reins on old restrictions.

The change is part of a broader FDA and Health and Human Services push to encourage the food industry to move away from petroleum-based synthetic dyes and toward alternatives that come from more familiar sources.

The agency has also approved new natural color additives like beetroot red and expanded the use of others such as spirulina extract to give manufacturers more options.

What Consumers Should Know

• No artificial colors now has a new meaning. It doesnt automatically mean there are zero added colors it just means no petroleum-based synthetic dyes. Natural colorings (even ones added purposely) are okay under the new policy.

• This change is voluntary and not a guarantee of safety. It doesnt mean a product is healthier overall just that the specific synthetic dyes regulated under federal law arent present. Other ingredients like sugar, salt or preservatives may still be in the product.

• Keep reading labels. Dont rely solely on marketing claims. Check the ingredient list if youre avoiding certain additives or have specific dietary concerns.

The FDA is trying to make front-of-package claims more flexible and clearer in the long run and to encourage the food industry to explore naturally-sourced color options. But as with any label claim, a little skepticism and some label reading go a long way.

Your junk drawer could be hiding this weeks grocery budget

• Get a quick quote online, ship your device with a free label, and receive a digital Shop Card to use on groceries and more at Costco.

• Factory reset it, remove all personal accounts, and be honest about condition so your final payout doesnt get reduced after inspection.

• Electronics depreciate fast, so that unused phone or laptop is worth way more today than it will be next year.

That drawer full of outdated phones and dusty laptops could be worth real money at Costco. Money you can use on groceries, gas, or your next bulk haul.

Heres how to make the most of Costcos electronics trade-in program.

How the trade-in actually works

Costco partners with a company called Phobio, who handles the evaluation of your old tech and the actual payouts.

What you can trade in:

• Phones All the major brands including Apple, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Google, Huawei and OnePlus.
• Laptops Theyll buylaptops from Apple, Asus, HP, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, Microsoft, and MSI.
• Tablets Brands theyll currently buy include Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft.
• Smartwatches Apple, Samsung, and Garmin.
• Desktop computers Apple and Microsoft Surface Studio series.
• Media players like the Apple TV - Theyll only give you up to $5. (Youd be better off selling it on eBay if its in good working condition.)

The basic steps:

• Go to Costcos trade-in page and answer questions about your devices brand, model, age, and condition.
• Get an instant quote.
• Ship your device using the prepaid shipping label.
• After the inspection, youll receive a Digital Costco Shop Card within three to fivebusiness days for the amount of your trade-in.

If youre not familiar, the Costco Shop Card works just like cash at Costco warehouses, as well as on their website.

4 tips to get the highest payout

1. Be honest about the condition. Scratches, battery issues, or screen burn-in can lower your final value if theyre not disclosed. If Phobio finds damage you didnt list, theyll revise the offer. For this reason, it pays to be honest about the condition from the start. Youre not going to be able to pull a fast one on them, so dont even try.

2. Reset and remove accounts first.Be sure to factory reset your device and sign out of Apple ID, Google, or Samsung accounts. Also, turn off your Find My Phone feature before you do a reset. Keep in mind that devices with activation locks can be rejected and will be sent back to you.

3. Include chargers if asked. Some categories pay a bit more when you have the original accessories and include them in the trade. While its not huge money, it can bump up your total a little bit.

4. Trade in sooner, not later. Keep in mind that electronics lose value fast, so get out your old tech and maximize its current value. Last years phone might be worth solid grocery money today and almost nothing a year from now.

What kind of value are we talking about?

High-end, newer laptops can fetch hundreds of dollars, sometimes over $1,000 depending on how old it is and the specs.

Even many older phones can be worth $20 to $150, which can easily cover a week of household staples at Costco.

If you have multiple unused devices in your house, those smaller amounts can stack up pretty quickly.

Why this is better than tossing them

Old electronics contain valuable materials like gold and copper, plus battery components that shouldnt end up in landfills.

By trading them in, you keep hazardous waste out of the landfills and you put the reusable parts right back into new devices.

So, think of it this way youre decluttering, getting paid, and reducing waste all at once.

No Costco membership? You still have options

Other retailers offer similar programs, including Target and GameStop. You can also trade devices directly through brands like Apple and Samsung for store credit.

But if you already shop at Costco, the Shop Card payout makes this one especially practical since it goes straight toward your Costco shopping list.