Overview

• In April, the FDA announced plans to revoke authorization of six synthetic color additives, including Red 40 and Yellow 5, and work with industry to phase them out by the end of 2026.
• A study of nearly 40,000 U.S. grocery items found that 19% of packaged foods contain synthetic dyes, with products marketed to children 28% more likely to include them and averaging 141% higher sugar content.
• Nestle USA, Kraft Heinz, General Mills and Conagra Brands have set deadlines between late 2025 and 2027 to remove artificial colors from their entire U.S. food and beverage portfolios.
• California, West Virginia and Texas have enacted or introduced bills to ban certain synthetic dyes in schools or require warning labels on products containing artificial colorings.
• Health advocates and the Center for Science in the Public Interest urge mandatory warning labels or outright bans on synthetically dyed foods to bolster voluntary industry commitments.