Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attends U.S. President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump was expected to address Congress on his early achievements of his presidency and his upcoming legislative agenda. Mandatory Credit: Win McNamee-Pool via Imagn Images
Washington D.C. – U.S. health officials announced Tuesday that they are urging food manufacturers to voluntarily phase out artificial, petroleum-based food dyes by the end of 2026, citing growing concerns over potential health effects on children. However, officials offered few details on how they intend to enforce the shift, and stopped short of promising a full ban.
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlined the plan during a press conference, calling on companies to replace synthetic dyes with natural alternatives, as is already required in Europe and Canada. “Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children,” Makary said. “This is about putting children’s health first.”
The FDA plans to revoke authorization for dyes that are no longer in production in the coming weeks and establish a timeline for phasing out those still in use. However, no formal agreements with foodmakers have been reached. “We don’t have an agreement, we have an understanding,” Kennedy said.
Artificial dyes are found in a wide array of processed foods across the U.S., from breakfast cereals to candies and yogurts. Health advocates have long argued that the dyes contribute to behavioral issues in children, such as hyperactivity and attention disorders. While the FDA has previously maintained that the dyes are safe for most consumers, critics say the science is outdated or inconclusive.
The announcement follows the FDA’s January decision to ban Red 3—a dye linked to cancer in animal studies—by 2027. Currently, 36 food color additives are allowed in the U.S., including eight synthetic ones.
Industry groups pushed back, with the National Confectioners Association asserting that its products are safe and that it plans to work with the administration and Congress. Meanwhile, the International Association of Color Manufacturers warned that requiring reformulation in under two years could lead to supply disruptions and higher grocery prices.
Some companies, however, have already pledged change. The International Dairy Foods Association said it will voluntarily remove artificial dyes from products served in U.S. school meal programs by July 2026.
Still, some experts remain skeptical. “Most of these food dyes have been in our supply for 100 years,” said Dr. Susan Mayne, a Yale chronic disease expert. “Why aren’t we focusing on what truly drives chronic disease rates?”
Despite a lack of enforcement teeth, the FDA’s move marks a significant shift in how the U.S. approaches food additives, signaling mounting pressure on foodmakers to prioritize health over color.
