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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to remove all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply, as part of the federal government’s broader effort to 'Make America Healthy Again'.

In a joint statement with the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the FDA outlined a timeline and strategy to transition the food industry toward natural colouring alternatives. The move comes amid growing concerns about the health risks synthetic dyes pose, particularly to children.

The agency will begin the process of revoking authorisation for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B in the coming months. It also plans to work with manufacturers to eliminate six other widely used synthetic dyes – FD&C Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1 and Blue No. 2 by the end of 2026.

In parallel, the FDA will authorise four new natural colour additives in the coming weeks and accelerate the review of others, such as butterfly pea flower extract, gardenia blue, Galdieria extract blue and calcium phosphate.

The FDA is also partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand research into the effects of food additives on children’s health and development. This collaboration aims to strengthen the agency’s ability to develop evidence-based policies and support national health priorities.

In addition, the FDA is asking food companies to voluntarily remove FD&C Red No. 3 ahead of the previously established 2027-2028 deadline and will issue updated guidance and regulatory flexibility to help manufacturers transition to safer alternatives.

HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr said: “For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent. 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.”

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary pointed out that many companies already use natural colourings in Europe and Canada. “Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children as they already do in Europe and Canada,” he said.

“We have a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression and ADHD. Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum-based food dyes, we should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children.”