FDA Plans Phase-Out of 8 Synthetic Food Dyes by 2026

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. have announced a plan to phase out eight petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from the American food supply, citing concerns over links to health conditions such as ADHD, obesity, and cancer. The FDA will revoke approval for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B and work with the food industry to eliminate six additional dyes, including Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, within about two years. The agency will also authorize new natural color alternatives to support the transition and accelerate efforts to remove Red No. 3, previously linked to cancer, ahead of its original 2027-2028 deadline. Food manufacturers, including General Mills, have expressed support for a national standard, while some critics note that human health data remains limited. Health officials emphasize that removing synthetic dyes is only one step in addressing America’s chronic disease epidemic among children. The National Institutes of Health will further study the effects of food additives on children’s health.