The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply. 

The FDA is initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food dyes, Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, within the coming months.

A national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives will be established and the FDA will work with the industry to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes — FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2 — by the end of next year.

The announcement comes on the heels of the agency's announcement earlier this year to revoke Red Dye No. 3. 

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. says the agency is requesting food companies remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the 2027-2028 deadline previously required.

“For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent,” Kennedy says. “These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development. That era is coming to an end. We’re restoring gold-standard science, applying common sense, and beginning to earn back the public’s trust. And we’re doing it by working with industry to get these toxic dyes out of the foods our families eat every day.”

Four new natural color additives are expected to be authorized for use in the coming weeks, the agency says. The FDA is fast-tracking the review of calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, butterfly pea flower extract, and other natural alternatives to synthetic food dyes.

Many confectionery products include petroleum-based dyes. The National Confectioners Association (NCA) issued the following statement:

“FDA and regulatory bodies around the world have deemed our products and ingredients safe, and we look forward to working with the Trump Administration and Congress on this issue," the NCA says. "We are in firm agreement that science-based evaluation of food additives will help eliminate consumer confusion and rebuild trust in our national food safety system. We follow and will continue to follow regulatory guidance from the authorities in this space, because consumer safety is our chief responsibility and priority.”

The Institute of Food Technologists also weighed in, noting the announcement follows recent state-level food dye bans.

"While there is lack of scientific consensus to support such a move – food dyes are generally considered low risk for the broad population, dependent on dietary and consumption patterns – additional research is needed to better understand the impact of artificial food dyes on specific subgroups, including various life stages including pregnancy, birth to 24 months, and aging," the organization says. "It is important to have a clear regulatory framework at the national level, and it is clear the FDA is elevating their engagement at a fast pace to, in part, satisfy consumer desire for a healthier food system. Leveraging science to understand complex and nuanced issues must play a prominent role in creating that healthier food framework."