Health Watch: FDA to ban synthetic food dyes by 2026

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Some of America’s most popular snacks could soon be getting a makeover.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes by the end of next year, citing growing health concerns and a push for safer, more natural ingredients.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said the agency is taking a cautious approach. “We are erring on the safe side and moving to remove these from the U.S. food supply,” Makary stated.

The move comes in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized the importance of moving away from petroleum-derived ingredients. “Nobody wants to eat petroleum,” he said. “Everybody knows there’s enough science out there that we know it’s terrible for you.”

While the health risks of synthetic dyes in humans are not fully established, animal studies have linked some dyes to cancer and tumor growth. Other research suggests a possible connection to behavioral issues in children, including restlessness and attention problems, especially in those with dye sensitivities.

Still, not all experts are convinced the science is strong enough to warrant a ban.

“The decision about what to do with the dyes really depends on the degree to which you want to employ the precautionary principle,” said Former FDA Commissioner, Robert Califf.

The FDA’s plan will depend on cooperation from food manufacturers. In response, the Consumer Brands Association, which represents many of these companies, said in a statement that ingredients in the U.S. food supply have been “rigorously studied and demonstrated to be safe.”

The FDA is also fast-tracking reviews of natural alternatives to replace synthetic dyes.

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