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5d ago

FDA and HHS Announce Plan to Phase Out Eight Synthetic Food Dyes by 2026

The initiative, led by RFK Jr. and Marty Makary, targets petroleum-based additives over health concerns, marking a major regulatory shift for U.S. food standards.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a news conference on the Autism report by the CDC at the Hubert Humphrey Building Auditorium in Washington, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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Overview

  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary outlined a roadmap to eliminate eight petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply within two years.
  • The dyes targeted for removal include Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Citrus Red No. 2, and Orange B.
  • Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B will have their FDA authorizations revoked in the coming months, while the remaining six dyes are set for removal by the end of 2026.
  • The plan builds on earlier state-level bans in California and West Virginia, as well as the FDA's January 2025 prohibition of Red Dye No. 3 due to cancer concerns.
  • Food manufacturers face significant reformulation challenges, with the FDA encouraging a shift to natural alternatives already used in Europe and Canada.