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In a sweeping move to address growing concerns over synthetic food additives, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday it will phase out petroleum-based food dyes from the national food supply by the end of 2026. The effort, unveiled by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, includes eliminating six widely used artificial dyes and authorizing four new natural color additives.
“For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals,” Makary said. “Removing petroleum-based food dyes is one important step toward improving children’s health.”
The dyes targeted for removal, Red No. 40, Yellow Nos. 5 and 6, Blue Nos. 1 and 2, and Green No. 3, are commonly found in candy, cereal, soda and other processed foods. The FDA will also revoke approvals for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, which are no longer widely used, and push for an accelerated removal of Red No. 3, previously banned in January.
While the FDA's plan relies on voluntary compliance from the food industry, officials said major manufacturers have agreed to cooperate. The agency will offer regulatory flexibility and aims to avoid a patchwork of inconsistent state rules, which many food companies view as burdensome.
Consumer safety groups applauded the decision but criticized the timeline and voluntary nature of the effort. “It’s encouraging, but a full ban would be faster and more effective,” said Brian Ronholm of Consumer Reports.
Health advocates and researchers have long called for a reassessment of synthetic food dyes, citing links to behavioral issues and potential cancer risks, especially in children. Although the FDA has not definitively established a causal relationship, studies reviewed by California’s EPA and others suggest that certain dyes may contribute to hyperactivity, irritability and sleep disturbances in sensitive children.
The FDA also announced plans to authorize four natural food colorings, calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue and butterfly pea flower extract, and will partner with the NIH to further study the health effects of additives.
Industry trade groups defended the safety of current ingredients. “Food dyes in the U.S. have been rigorously reviewed and deemed safe,” said Melissa Hockstad, CEO of the Consumer Brands Association. Still, she acknowledged that companies are increasingly turning to natural alternatives.
Tuesday’s announcement marks one of the Trump administration’s first major public health initiatives. Kennedy framed the decision as a step toward national food reform. “Nobody wants to eat petroleum,” he said.
With information from CNN, NPR, and NBC.
