U.S. to Ban Artificial Food Dyes by 2026: A Health Victory

By Luis Alcala, Avocado Insight Magazine

U.S. to Ban Artificial Food Dyes by 2026: A Health Victory

By Luis Alcala, Avocado Insight Magazine

ATLANTA GA, April 23, 2025 — The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and the FDA announced on April 22 a landmark plan to phase out eight synthetic food dyes derived from petroleum by the end of 2026. Backed by the Trump administration, this move is part of the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign to protect public health, especially children’s. [1]

Banned Dyes

The dyes used in cereals, drinks, and candies are:

Red No. 40: Bright red, in candies and drinks.

Yellow No. 5: Yellow, in snacks and medicines.

Yellow No. 6: Orange yellow, in desserts.

Blue No. 1: Blue, in beverages.

Blue No. 2: Dark blue, in baked goods.

Green No. 3: Green, in candies.

Citrus Red No. 2: On orange peels.

Orange B: In sausages.

The FDA will revoke Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B soon, with the rest gone by 2026, approving natural dyes like beet juice. [2]

Market Impact

The U.S. food market, worth $1.4 trillion in 2024, relies on these dyes. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) notes a fivefold rise in dye use since 1955, with Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5 leading. [3] The ban will affect thousands of products, requiring reformulation. Companies like PepsiCo and General Mills face hurdles, having struggled with natural dyes before. [4]

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary says costs won’t raise prices, citing Canada and the EU. But the International Association of Color Manufacturers (IACM) warns of supply chain issues. [5]

Expert Opinions

Kennedy and Makary link dyes to hyperactivity in kids, citing a 2007 The Lancet study. [6] Kennedy called their use an “uncontrolled experiment.” [7] Nutritionist Marion Nestle praises the ban, but the Consumer Brands Association defends dye safety and seeks clear rules. [8] The medical community notes risks for sensitive kids, with the American Academy of Pediatrics calling for more research. [9]

Industry Preparation

The dairy industry will remove dyes from school products by 2026, and Kellogg is reformulating. Sensient Colors sees rising demand for natural dyes. [10] The FDA will set standards, but Kennedy admits there’s no formal industry agreement. [11]

Projections

The ban will impact 30% of processed foods, with reformulation costs in billions. CSPI predicts fewer hyperactivity cases, but broader health gains need tackling ultra-processed foods. [12]

Conclusion

The ban is a public health win, challenging an industry that prioritized profits. Despite obstacles, bipartisan support and consumer demand for natural foods make it feasible. Kennedy said, “Americans deserve to know what they’re eating.” [13]

Footnotes

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. “Food Additives and Child Health.” Pediatrics, vol. 142, no. 2, 2018, doi:10.1542/peds.2018-1408.
2. “FDA Announces Plan to Phase Out Artificial Dyes.” CNN, 22 Apr. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/04/22/health/fda-artificial-dyes-ban.
3. “Food Dyes to Be Phased Out.” Fox News, 22 Apr. 2025, www.foxnews.com/health/food-dyes-phased-out-2026.
4. “Kennedy Announces Ban on Artificial Dyes in Food and Drinks.” BBC, 22 Apr. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/health-kennedy-dye-ban.
5. “Kennedy Tells Food Companies to Remove Artificial Dyes.” Reuters, 12 Mar. 2025, www.reuters.com/business/healthcare/kennedy-food-dyes-2025-03-12.
6. McCann, Donna, et al. “Food Additives and Hyperactive Behaviour in 3-Year-Old and 8/9-Year-Old Children in the Community: A Randomised, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” The Lancet, vol. 370, no. 9598, 3 Nov. 2007, pp. 1560-1567, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61306-3.
7. “Movement to Ban Food Dyes Gains Ground.” NBC News, 23 Mar. 2025, www.nbcnews.com/health/food-dye-ban-movement-2025.
8. “RFK Jr. Plans to Phase Out Artificial Dyes.” Courthouse News Service, 22 Apr. 2025, www.courthousenews.com/rfk-jr-artificial-dyes-ban-2026.
9. “RFK Jr. Unveils Plan to Phase Out 8 Artificial Food Dyes.” ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025, abcnews.go.com/Health/rfk-jr-dye-ban-2026.
10. “Trump Administration to Announce Plan to Remove Artificial Food Dyes.” CNN, 22 Apr. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/04/22/politics/trump-dye-ban.
11. “Trump Admin Sets Deadline for Eliminating 8 Artificial Food Dyes.” Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025, www.newsweek.com/trump-dye-ban-deadline-2026.
12. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “HHS Announces Plan to Eliminate Artificial Food Dyes by 2026.” HHS.gov, 22 Apr. 2025, www.hhs.gov/news/2025/04/22/artificial-dyes-ban.
13. “US Health Officials Seek to Phase Out Artificial Dyes.” AP News, 22 Apr. 2025, apnews.com/article/us-artificial-dyes-ban-2026.
14. “US to Phase Out Many Synthetic Food Dyes.” Reuters, 22 Apr. 2025, www.reuters.com/business/healthcare/us-dyes-ban-2026.
15. “What to Know About RFK Jr.’s Plan to Phase Out Artificial Food Dyes.” U.S. News, 22 Apr. 2025, www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2025-04-22/rfk-jr-dye-ban.
16. “8 Artificial Dyes to Be Banned in US by End of 2026.” San.com, 22 Apr. 2025, www.san.com/news/8-artificial-dyes-ban-2026.