USA | The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a series of new measures to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the national food supply, describing the move as a significant step in the administration’s Make America Healthy Again initiative.
The FDA confirmed it would introduce a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical dyes to natural alternatives. It began the process to revoke the use of two synthetic colourings, Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, and committed to working with manufacturers to remove six other synthetic dyes, including Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, by the end of next year. Four new natural colour additives would be authorised in the coming weeks, with a fast-tracked review of further alternatives such as calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue and butterfly pea flower extract.
The agency also requested that food companies act sooner than the previously required 2027 to 2028 deadline to remove FD&C Red No. 3. In addition, the FDA confirmed it was partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support further research into how food additives impact children’s health and development, helping to shape future policy decisions.
“For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
“These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development. That era is coming to an end. We are restoring gold-standard science, applying common sense, and beginning to earn back the public’s trust by working with industry to remove these toxic dyes from the foods our families eat every day,” said Kennedy.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH, highlighted the urgency of the move, referring to the rise in childhood diabetes, obesity, depression and ADHD across the United States.
“Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum-based food dyes, we should not be taking risks. Today, we are asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children, just as they already do in Europe and Canada. We must do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children,” said Makary.
The FDA confirmed that its partnership with the NIH Nutrition Regulatory Science and Research Program would enhance research into nutrition and food additives. The collaboration is expected to strengthen evidence-based food policy and support the priorities of the Make America Healthy Again Commission.
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