The Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday it plans to work with the food industry to remove eight artificial dyes from the US food supply.
a press release The division has announced plans to “stage” all petroleum-based synthetic dyes by the end of 2026.
“We’re exploring all the tools in our toolbox to make sure this is done very quickly.”
HHS called the move a “significant milestone” for the Trump administration with its goal of “making America healthy again.”
The department’s press release lists six actions the Food and Drug Administration is taking to remove artificial dyes, starting with creating a timeline for the food industry to switch from “petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives.”
It noted that Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B will be banned in the coming months. Six other 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 will be phased out by the end of next year.
The FDA plans to approve Accelerat with four natural alternatives[e] Review and approval of others including calcium phosphate, Gardière extract.
HHS and the National Institutes of Health will partner to study the effects of food additives on children.
“In collaboration with the NIH Nutrition Regulation Science Research Program, the FDA will strengthen nutrition and food-related research to better inform regulatory decisions,” HHS said.
The department said it would require food companies to eliminate FD&C Red No. 3 earlier than the previously imposed 2027-2028 deadline.
“For too long, some food producers have given Americans oil-based chemicals without knowledge or consent,” says HHS Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose Trump administration is leading the charges to deal with the country’s chronic disease epidemic.
“These toxic compounds do not provide nutritional benefits and pose realistic and measurable risks to the health and development of children,” he continued. “The days are coming to an end. We are beginning to restore the science of gold standards, apply common sense and regain public trust. And we are working with the industry to do that by removing these toxic dyes from the food our families eat every day.”
FDA Commissioner Marty McCurry also commented on the announcement of the HHS.
“Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes for natural ingredients for American children, as they already do in Europe and Canada,” McCurry said. “We have a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression and ADHD. Given the growing concern among physicians and parents about the potential role of oil-based food dyes, we should not take risks and do everything possible to protect our children’s health.”
McCurry Proposed Companies using oil-based red dyes will try to switch to watermelon juice, while companies that combine with yellow to make oranges should test carrot juice.
Kennedy said HHS has no formal agreement with companies to eliminate dyes, but it focused on the “understanding” of celebrities in the food industry.
McCurry explained that the FDA and HHS will “start in a friendly way and see if this can be done without legal or regulatory changes.”
“But we’re exploring all the tools in the toolbox and making sure this is done very quickly,” he added.
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