Overview

• The FDA plans to revoke authorization for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B in the coming months and phase out six other dyes by the end of 2026.
• Red No. 3, banned earlier this year, remains on track for compliance deadlines in 2027 and 2028, though companies are encouraged to act sooner.
• Four new natural color additives will be fast-tracked for approval, with the FDA urging the food industry to adopt alternatives like beet and carrot juice.
• No formal agreements with manufacturers have been reached, but the FDA and HHS are relying on voluntary compliance while reserving regulatory authority.
• Mixed evidence links synthetic dyes to behavioral issues in children, prompting further NIH-supported research into their health impacts.