Coloring food and drink on Shabbos

[א] (halacha 11)

Question: Is there a law of dyeing (tzevia) regarding foods and liquids?

Answer: The halacha is that there is no law of dyeing with foods, and therefore it is permitted to put turmeric in food even though it gives the food color (Shulchan Aruch HaRav OC siman 320 se'if 19). However, the Acharonim are divided as to whether there is a law of 'dyeing' with liquids on Shabbos (such as one who puts tea essence into hot water, where the water becomes colored). There are poskim who were stringent (Ben Ish Chai, Year Two, Pekudei, 3; Harav M. Eliyahu, Maamar Mordechai 4, 85). However, the primary ruling in halacha, and so too the practice has been throughout most of the dispersions of Israel, is that there is no dyeing with liquids (Darkei Moshe in siman 320 os 2, 6; Shabbos Kehalacha part 3 siman 20 se'if 3). But one must know that this entire leniency applies only when the action is done for the purpose of eating or drinking, and the dyeing occurs incidentally; however, if the entire purpose is solely to dye, it is forbidden! (Shabbos Kehalacha ibid. se'if 4).

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