WASHINGTON — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), intends to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply and work with food and beverage companies to do so.

“I want to commend the food companies for working with us on this agreement, or this settlement,” said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS secretary, in an April 22 news conference.

The FDA will establish a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives. The agency has begun the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings: Citrus Red No 2 and Orange B. The goal is to eliminate the six remaining synthetic dyes from the food supply by the end of 2026. Five of the dyes are Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and No. 6, and Blue No. 1 and No. 2. 

An FDA law on the other dye, Red No. 3, was issued in January, mandating that the synthetic dye be out of foods and beverages in the US by 2027.

The FDA is fast-tracking the review of calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue and butterfly pea flower extract as new alternatives for color.

Studies have raised concerns about links between synthetic dyes and conditions such as attention deficit disorder, obesity, diabetes and allergic reactions, said Marty A. Makary, MD, commissioner of the FDA. Makary said executives at food and beverage companies have told the FDA they do not want a patchwork of state laws, and that FDA will work with the companies to eliminate the food dyes.

“I believe in love, and let’s start in a friendly way and see if we can do this without any statutory or regulatory changes, but we are exploring every tool in the toolbox,” he said.

Five states have passed laws to eliminate food and beverages that contain synthetic food dyes from school meals.

No executives from food or beverage companies spoke at the news conference, but the National Confectioners Association responded.

“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,” said Christopher Gindelsperger, senior vice president of public affairs and communications at the NCA. “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.”

Vani Hari, known as the “Food Babe,” also spoke at the news conference. She was among the leaders last year of a movement in which over 40,000 consumers signed a petition asking WK Kellogg Co to remove synthetic dyes from the company’s cereal products.

“For over a decade, I have said that the FDA is asleep at the wheel, and now I can stop saying that,” she said.

Kennedy said the Trump administration, in addition to synthetic dyes, will look at every ingredient and additive that it can address legally.

“It’s not the time to stop,” he said. “It’s the time to redouble your efforts because we have them on the run now, and we are going to win this battle.”