On April 22, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. unveiled a significant shift in the U.S. food industry’s landscape. The agency announced its plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic color additives from the food supply, marking a substantial step in the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. While the announcement did not include formal rulemaking or industry guidance documents, it signals a clear direction towards a more natural food coloring future.
Synthetic dyes, which are the target of this initiative, are manmade color additives typically derived from petroleum. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently approves nine synthetic dyes for use in food, all of which must be certified as safe for their intended purposes. The phase-out plan aims to eliminate all nine of these dyes from the food supply by the end of 2026.
The FDA’s phase-out plan outlines six key measures to achieve this goal. The first measure involves establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from synthetic dyes to natural alternatives. However, the FDA has not yet specified how it will implement this standard or timeline, leaving the industry in a state of anticipation. The agency could choose to promulgate rules, which would carry the force of law, or publish a guidance document, which would not be legally enforceable.
The second measure involves revoking the authorization for two synthetic dyes: Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B. These dyes are among the least used in the U.S. food supply, with no batches of Orange B certified since before 2019 and the last batch of Citrus Red No. 2 certified in 2020. The FDA did not specify how it will revoke these authorizations, but the process typically involves a public comment period and an FDA order.
The third measure is the most ambitious, aiming to eliminate the six remaining synthetic dyes from the food supply by the end of 2026. These dyes include 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. The FDA plans to work with industry to achieve this goal, but the specifics of this collaboration remain unclear.
The fourth measure involves authorizing four new natural color additives in the coming weeks and accelerating the review and approval of others. This move is expected to provide the food industry with viable alternatives to synthetic dyes.
The fifth measure involves partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct comprehensive research on how food additives impact children’s health and development. This research is expected to provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of the phase-out initiative.
The sixth and final measure involves requesting food companies to remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the previously required 2027-2028 deadline. The FDA revoked the authorization of Red Dye No. 3 in food and ingested drugs earlier this year, citing the Delaney Clause, which mandates the revocation of any color additive found to cause cancer in humans or animals.
The implications of this phase-out initiative are far-reaching. For the food industry, it means a significant shift in ingredient sourcing and formulation. For consumers, it could mean healthier, more natural food options. However, the initiative also raises questions about the feasibility of the timeline, the availability of natural alternatives, and the potential impact on food prices. As the FDA works to implement these measures, the industry and consumers alike will be watching closely.