By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced efforts to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, often found in processed foods.
For years, synthetic dyes made from petroleum have given processed foods their bright, eye-catching colors. But the Trump administration is cracking down, citing evidence linking the additives to health concerns, especially in children.
“For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, HHS and the FDA announced new standards and timelines for the food industry to effectively remove all petroleum-based food dyes from the U.S. food supply. According to the FDA, the agency is taking the following actions:
- Establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives.
- Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months.
- Working with industry to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes—FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—from the food supply by the end of next year.
- Authorizing four new natural color additives in the coming weeks, while also accelerating the review and approval of others.
- Partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct comprehensive research on how food additives impact children’s health and development.
- Requesting food companies to remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the 2027-2028 deadline previously required.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the transition is pivotal to fighting a childhood chronic disease epidemic that has plagued the U.S. for decades.
“There was 0% spent in this country treating chronic disease when my uncle was president. Today it’s about $1.8 trillion annually. It’s bankrupting our nation,” said Secretary Kennedy. “Food dye is just a no-brainer. Nobody wants to eat petroleum. There’s enough science out there that we know it’s terrible for you.”
Nutrition experts say the shift will mean big changes for food companies. It won’t be easy, but experts say it’s possible.
“I think the food industry is more than capable of doing this because we see them doing that in Canada and Europe,” said Dr. Michael Ednie, a registered dietician and Medical Director of Bespoke Concierge MD. “They’re going to have to find new ingredients to substitute for the ones that are being taken out. That could potentially drive up costs.”
Dr. Ednie says the impact will mostly be felt in highly processed foods — many of which rely heavily on artificial color for appeal.
“Cereals, but also candies. Skittles, M&Ms,” he said. “Of course, colored drinks. So, Mountain Dew drinks, Gatorade.”
The next step for the FDA is clearer labeling and education — giving consumers more control over what goes on their plates.
“Not only do you want to educate the public on using these products and about the ingredients, but you want transparency and you want trust,” said Dr. Ednie. “So I think food labeling and that all goes hand in hand.”
Ednie says it’s going to take a lot of cooperation between public and private stakeholders, who will need to work together to facilitate the transition.
“But can the industry do it? Yeah, I believe they can for sure,” said Ednie.
