The U.S. government announced a bold new plan to remove all artificial dyes from food and drinks by the end of next year. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared the news Tuesday, stating the goal is to replace chemical-based dyes with safer, natural alternatives.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will oversee the change. While the complete ban will take effect at the end of 2025, food companies will be given about two years to make the switch from petroleum-based dyes to natural coloring options, such as beet juice, watermelon juice, or carrot juice.
Natural Options Will Replace Chemical Colors
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary explained that the agency will soon approve four new food dyes made from natural sources. “Companies using synthetic red dye can try watermelon or beet juice,” Makary said. “If they mix yellow and red dyes now, they can use carrot juice instead.”
Currently, the FDA allows 36 food dyes — nine of which are artificial and made from petroleum. The rest are naturally derived, often from vegetables or plants. One artificial dye, Red No. 3, was already banned earlier this year after health concerns were raised about its possible link to cancer.
More Bans Coming Soon
The FDA plans to cancel approval for two more artificial dyes — Citrus Red No. 2, used to color orange peels, and Orange B — within the next few months. Red No. 3 will also be removed from foods sooner than the original 2027 deadline, following a push from the Biden administration. Drug companies, however, will be allowed an extra year to comply.
By the end of next year, the FDA expects all six remaining artificial dyes to be removed from the U.S. food supply.
A Push for Safer Food
“For too long, Americans have been eating food colored with petroleum-based chemicals, often without knowing it,” Kennedy said in his statement. He emphasized that natural options exist and are already used in other countries.
The press conference included other well-known health advocates, such as Dr. Mark Hyman and Vani Hari (known as “Food Babe”), as well as West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey. The group called for better food safety and criticized the use of artificial ingredients, especially in products aimed at children.
Kennedy even referred to sugar as “poison” and said that if companies wanted petroleum in their products, “they should eat it themselves.”
Health Experts Support the Move
Experts agree the timeline is fast, but not impossible. Jerold Mande, a former senior FDA adviser and current professor at Harvard’s School of Public Health, said, “This will face some pushback. But companies already follow similar rules in other countries, so I don’t expect a major battle.”
While there is no strong evidence from the FDA that artificial dyes cause behavior issues, some studies suggest possible links between dyes and problems like hyperactivity in kids. Makary acknowledged that while removing dyes won’t fix all children’s health issues right away, it’s an important first step.
“For the last 50 years, American children have lived in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals,” Makary said.
Bright Colors, Big Concerns
Artificial dyes are common in thousands of popular foods — especially those marketed to children. These include candies, cereals, and soft drinks, known for their bold and vibrant colors.
To support the shift, the FDA will fast-track reviews of several new natural dyes, such as calcium phosphate, butterfly pea flower extract, and two plant-based blues: Galdieria extract and gardenia blue. These can provide deep purples and bright blues without relying on chemicals.
Industry Reaction Still Unclear
No food industry representatives were present at Tuesday’s press briefing. When asked if companies had formally agreed to the timeline, Kennedy said only, “We have an understanding.”
The move marks a major change in how food is made and sold in the U.S. If successful, it could lead to healthier choices for millions of families — especially children.
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