The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the food supply, signalling a significant shift for food manufacturers. A national standard and timeline will soon guide the industry’s transition to natural colour additives.
The FDA plans to revoke the use of Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B in the coming months. It also aims to remove six additional synthetic dyes — FD&C Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, and Blue No. 2 — by the end of 2025.
The agency will accelerate the approval process for several natural alternatives, including butterfly pea flower extract and gardenia blue, and will shortly authorise four new natural food colourings. The FDA is also encouraging the early removal of FD&C Red No. 3, which was previously slated for a 2027–2028 phase-out.
In parallel, the FDA is partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand research on food additives and their health effects, particularly on children. This includes support through the NIH Nutrition Regulatory Science and Research Program.
This federal move follows a broader trend of food dye bans at the state level and growing consumer demand for cleaner ingredient labels. However, some in the industry are calling for a more evidence-based approach, citing the need for further research on the effects of synthetic dyes on specific population groups.