RFK Jr, FDA ban all artificial food dyes: What to know about the removals

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Manufacturers of food and medications will be banned from using eight commonly used food dyes by the end of 2026, according to statements from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Kennedy called petroleum-based synthetic dyes “poison” during a press conference on April 22, when the FDA announced the plans.

“For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent,” he said.

According to a recent news release, the FDA is also “fast-tracking” reviews of several alternative, natural alternatives to the synthetic dyes being banned, and “taking steps to issue guidance and provide regulatory flexibilities to industries.”

Here’s what else American consumers should know about the bans.

Are food dyes being banned in the U.S.?

According to the FDA’s April 22 news release, the agency and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have implemented measures to “phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply.”

What food dyes are being banned? Food dyes list

The FDA announced bans on eight dyes. USA TODAY provided information on what each of the eight dyes are generally used for:

• Red Dye 40 (Allura Red or FD&C Red No. 40): A dark red dye commonly used in candy, cereals, sports drinks, frosting, condiments, gelatin, jams and more.
• Yellow Dye 5 (Tartrazine or FD&C Yellow No. 5): A lemon-yellow dye often found in candy, cereal, soft drinks, popcorn, yogurt, juices, spices and more.
• Yellow Dye 6 (Sunset Yellow or FD&C Yellow No. 6): An orange-yellow dye used in candy, sauces, baked goods, preserved fruit, cheese, soups, cereals and more.
• Blue Dye 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF or FD&C Blue No. 1): A greenish-blue dye used in ice cream, canned peas, soups, popsicles, icing, confections, dairy products and more.
• Blue Dye 2 (Indigo Carmine, FD&C Blue No. 2 or Indigotine): A royal blue dye commonly found in candy, ice cream, cereal, snacks, sausages, maraschino cherries and more.
• Green Dye 3 (Fast Green FCF or FD&C Green No. 3): A forest green dye often found in canned vegetables, cereal, candy, ice cream, salad dressing, soft drinks and more.

The FDA will also move to eliminate the use of:

• Citrus Red 2 (C.I. Solvent Red 80): A dye used only to color the skin of oranges in the U.S., specifically Florida oranges. It is used to make the skins a more vibrant color, but is not allowed on the inner edible fruit.
• Orange B (C.I. Acid Orange 137): A dye used for one purpose: hot dog and sausage casings. The dye itself is also no longer made in the U.S., limiting its use even further.

Though the FDA is working to ban these dyes, the agency is also “fast-tracking” reviews on natural alternative food dyes, including:

• Calcium phosphate: Aids in the preservation of color in coatings.
• Galdieria extract blue: Similar to spirulina, this dye is produced by extracting water from a type of microalgae to produce a bright blue color.
• Gardenia blue: A dark blue dye extracted from the fruit of gardenia plants.
• Butterfly pea flower extract: Produces a range of colors from green to purple and beyond using butterfly pea flowers.

What food dyes are banned in the U.S.?

While the new bans are recent news, some food dyes have already been banned from use in the U.S. The bans include:

• Red No. 3: A dye already being phased out under a Biden-era order mandate with a deadline of Jan. 15, 2027. The Trump administration has since asked that this deadline be moved up.
• Reds 1, 2, 4 and 32: Banned in 1961, 1976 and 1956, for potential (but disputed) links to cancer and organ damage.
• Yellows 1, 2, 3 and 4: Banned in 1959 after they were found to be potentially linked to lesions and heart damage.
• Violet 1: Banned in 1973 for being potentially linked to cancer.
• Orange 1 and 2: Banned in 1956 and 1960 for being potentially linked to organ damage.
• Green 1 and 2: Both were banned in 1965 for being potentially linked to cancer.
• Sudan 1 and Butter Yellow: Banned in 1919 after they were found to be toxic and potentially carcinogenic.

Why are food dyes being banned?

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary commented on the reasons behind the dye bans in the FDA’s news release, citing the role of petroleum-based dyes in several childhood health problems.

“Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children as they already do in Europe and Canada,” Makary said. “We have a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD. Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum-based food dyes, we should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children.”

What are the most common food dyes in the U.S.?

USA TODAY reports that the most popular additives in the U.S., making up more than 90% of all food dye used, include:

• Red 40
• Yellow 5
• Yellow 6

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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].