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On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) jointly announced a nationwide plan to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the food supply. This move marks a key milestone in the administration's broader "Make America Healthy Again (MAHA)" strategy.
The FDA Outlined Six Key Measures:
No. | Measure | Content | Timeline |
1 | Establish a national standard and timeline | To establish a national standard and timeline for transitioning from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives. | / |
2 | Revoke the usage authorization of two synthetic food colorings | Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B | Coming months |
3 | Phase out six synthetic dyes |
| End of next year |
4 | Authorize four new natural color additives | The FDA is fast-tracking the review of
While also accelerating the review and approval of other natural alternatives to synthetic food dyes. | Coming weeks |
5 | Strengthen scientific research cooperation | Partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct comprehensive research on how food additives impact children’s health and development. | / |
6 | Remove FD&C Red No. 3 in advance | Requesting food companies to remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the 2027-2028 deadline previously required. | Sooner than the 2027-2028 deadline |
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary emphasized the importance of removing synthetic dyes in light of rising health concerns, especially among children. He called on manufacturers to transition to natural colorants, aligning U.S. food safety practices with those already adopted in Europe and Canada.
State-Level Measures on Synthetic Additives in the United States
In recent years, several U.S. states have moved to restrict or ban synthetic food additives, including synthetic dyes, due to increasing health concerns, particularly their potential effects on children’s behavior and development. Notable state-level legislative measures include:
California
Effective January 1, 2027, this bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, delivery, distribution, holding, or offering of food products containing the following substances:
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) (CAS No. 8016-94-2)
Potassium Bromate (CAS No. 7758-01-2)
Propylparaben (CAS No. 94-13-3)
FD&C Red No. 3 (CAS No. 16423-68-0)
Effective December 31, 2027, this bill bans public schools from serving food products containing the following synthetic dyes:
FD&C Blue No. 1 (CAS 3844-45-9)
FD&C Blue No. 2 (CAS 860-22-0)
FD&C Green No. 3 (CAS 2353-45-9)
FD&C Red No. 40 (CAS 25956-17-6)
FD&C Yellow No. 5 (CAS 1934-21-0)
FD&C Yellow No. 6 (CAS 2783-94-0)
West Virginia
Effective January 1, 2028, this bill prohibits the sale of any food product containing the following synthetic dyes:
FD&C Red No. 3
FD&C Red No. 40
FD&C Yellow No. 5
FD&C Yellow No. 6
FD&C Blue No. 1
FD&C Blue No. 2
FD&C green No. 3
Pennsylvania
Effective January 1, 2027, this bill bans the use of several synthetic food dyes, including:
FD&C Red No. 3
FD&C Red No. 40
FD&C Yellow No. 5
FD&C Yellow No. 6
FD&C Blue No. 1
FD&C Blue No. 2
Also effective January 1, 2027, this bill prohibits the use of the following substances:
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
Potassium Bromate
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Virginia
Effective July 1, 2027, this bill bans the use of the following synthetic dyes in foods served in public schools:
FD&C Red No. 3
FD&C Red No. 40
FD&C Yellow No. 5
FD&C Yellow No. 6
FD&C Blue No. 1
FD&C Blue No. 2
FD&C Green No. 3
ChemLinked Suggestion
As regulatory scrutiny over synthetic additives intensifies at both federal and state levels, food companies are strongly encouraged to begin reassessing their use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes. Transitioning toward natural alternatives is not only essential for compliance with upcoming regulations, but also increasingly aligned with consumer expectations and global standards.
Proactive reformulation strategies, robust ingredient sourcing, and early engagement with regulatory developments will be key to ensuring business continuity and market competitiveness in the evolving food safety landscape. ChemLinked will continue to monitor relevant policy developments and provide you with first-hand regulatory intelligence.
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