Overview

• The Trump administration will announce details today on phasing out eight petroleum-based synthetic food dyes, including Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, by the end of 2026.
• The plan builds on the FDA's January 2025 ban of Red Dye No. 3 and aligns with the administration's 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative.
• Studies, including a 2021 California report, have linked synthetic dyes to neurobehavioral issues in children, though the FDA maintains that most children are not adversely affected.
• Food manufacturers face significant reformulation costs, estimated in the billions, as they adapt to meet the new federal guidelines.
• The U.S. will follow international examples, as many European and Canadian products already use natural color substitutes instead of synthetic dyes.