The food system has relied on synthetic, petroleum-based dyes that offer no nutritional value and pose unnecessary health risks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it granted three new colour additive petitions that will expand the palette of available colours from natural sources for manufacturers to safely use in food.
The FDA is in line with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s priority to phase out petroleum-based dyes in the nation’s food supply as part of the administration’s broader initiative to Make America Healthy Again.
“Today, we take a major step to Make America Healthy Again,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “For too long, our food system has relied on synthetic, petroleum-based dyes that offer no nutritional value and pose unnecessary health risks. We’re removing these dyes and approving safe, natural alternatives—to protect families and support healthier choices.”
Since the HHS and FDA announcement last month during a press conference External Link Disclaimer at HHS on petroleum-based food dyes, more U.S. food manufacturers have committed External Link Disclaimer to removing them within the FDA’s set time frame of the end of next year.
“On April 22, I said the FDA would soon approve several new colour additives and would accelerate our review of others. I’m pleased to report that promises made, have been promises kept,” said FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “FDA staff have been moving quickly to expedite the publication of these decisions, underscoring our serious intent to transition away from petroleum-based dyes in the food supply and provide new colors from natural sources.”
