23-04-2025
The FDA Wants Food Companies to Start Phasing Out All Artificial Dyes
Several synthetic food dyes have been targeted for removal from the food supply. Two rarely used dyes—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—will no longer be allowed to be used. Red No. 3, which has been flagged as a potential carcinogen, will be phased out sooner than previously agreed. Six other food dyes have been highlighted for a voluntary phase-out—but manufacturer lobbying groups are pushing back.
Some synthetic food dyes have been linked in studies to hyperactivity in people with ADHD, and cancer and tumor growth in lab rats.
Naturally derived dyes like vegetable juices and flower extracts are being suggested for potential use in lieu of artificial food Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an attempt to phase out artificial dyes from the food supply. The FDA will revoke authorization for two rarely used food colorings, ask food manufacturers to phase out six other popular synthetic dyes, and move up the timeline for removing FD&C Red No. 3. But the announcement may do little to get artificial dyes out of foods, as most of the synthetic food dyes used today would only be subject to a voluntary removal.
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Artificial food dyes are petroleum-based products that add or enhance color in ultra-processed foods. They're basically the reason why candy is, well, candy-colored, in bright rainbow shades. But synthetic food dyes aren't just relegated to sweets or obviously dyed foods. They can be used to make subtle color shifts in everything from beef jerky to barbecue sauces to salad dressings to give them a more palatable hue.
Artificial food dyes have been a subject of concern. Several studies have linked artificial food dyes to issues like hyperactivity in people with ADHD, and some animal studies found potential links to cancer and some synthetic dyes, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Red No. 3 was banned from cosmetics in 1990 as it was shown to cause cancer in lab rats—but that was decades before the phase-out from foods began earlier this year.
Several different tactics are being used in this announcement, and some have more teeth than others.
The two food colorings that will have their authorization revoked are Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—and revoking authorization ensures these dyes are off the market. However, Citrus Red No. 2 is currently only used for dyeing the skins of oranges, and it is used in such small amounts that the health risk is minimal. Orange B was once used to color hot dogs and sausages, but it hasn't been used in decades, after the FDA proposed (but never finalized) a ban in 1978, according to CSPI. "The only real regulatory moves here are to move to ban two rarely used dyes, Citrus Red 2 and Orange B, 'within the coming months,'" says Peter G. Lurie, president of the CSPI, in a statement.
There are six dyes the FDA would like to phase out with a voluntary "understanding" with food manufacturers:
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
FD&C Blue No. 2
But because it's an "understanding," food manufacturers can ignore it—and some manufacturers have already come out with statements defending the safety of these food dyes. This suggests that some food companies may ignore the FDA's recommendations. "The ingredients used in America's food supply have been rigorously studied following an objective science and risk-based evaluation process and have been demonstrated to be safe," says Melissa Hockstad, president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association, a lobbying organization that represents U.S. packaged food manufacturers, in a statement.
FD&C Red No. 3 was scheduled to be removed from foods and oral drugs by 2028, but the FDA announced that they plan to shorten the deadline for companies to remove the dye from their foods—with no specific timeline announced.
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The FDA suggests replacing artificial food dyes with natural options—which could include extracts and juices from vegetables, fruits, flowers, and minerals. The FDA plans to fast-track research into alternative food dyes such as calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, and butterfly pea flower extract.
In general, new products to the market may be the first to see these changes, as food companies may add the natural dyes to them before they start changing older food formulations. But because food manufacturers aren't legally required to remove the commonly used artificial food colorants from their foods, the government may need to revoke authorization down the line to actually get them out of the food supply.
In general, highly processed foods, such as snack foods, candy, baked goods, and soft drinks, tend to feature high quantities of artificial dyes. (Those bright reds and neon greens in everything from Flamin' Hot Cheetos to M&Ms come from synthetic food dyes.)
To get a sense of what foods may have high levels of these food dyes, you can use the Environmental Working Group's Food Scores Tool, where you can search by product or ingredient to look for specific food dyes in the foods you eat. Products that contain synthetic dyes need to disclose them on their labels, so you can also review the foods in your pantry and fridge to see if they contain the six food dyes that the government is hoping manufacturers will remove from foods.
Read the original article on Real Simple
