On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a sweeping artificial dye ban targeting eight petroleum-based synthetic food coloring. During a press conference held by the agencies, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized their plan to collaborate with food agencies to effectively phase out these artificial coloring agents from use in the United States food supply by the end of 2026. As the artificial dye ban takes shape, consumers and manufacturers alike are bracing for significant changes to the foods lining grocery store shelves.
The Eight Artificial Dyes Targeted by the Ban
The FDA announced it will phase out eight petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from the U.S. food supply due to health concerns, especially for children. These dyes include Red Dye 3 (Erythrosine), Red Dye 40 (Allura Red AC), Yellow Dye 5 (Tartrazine), Yellow Dye 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF), Blue Dye 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF), Blue Dye 2 (Indigo Carmine), Green Dye 3 (Fast Green FCF), and the less commonly used Citrus Red 2 and Orange B.
These additives have been used to enhance the appearance of processed foods but offer no potential health benefits. Growing scientific evidence and consumer pressure have compelled the FDA to act, aiming to replace these synthetic dyes with natural alternatives by the end of 2026.
Red Dye 3 (Erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3)
The FDA had already mandated a ban on Red Dye No.3 under the Biden administration. The FDA approved Red Dye 3 for use in American foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals in 1969, and the ban will go into effect by January 15, 2027. Several well-known brands still use Red Dye 3 in some of their products. Due to the FDA’s upcoming ban, many of these brands are actively researching natural alternatives and reformulating their products to comply with the FDA’s upcoming ban.
Candies that contain Red Dye 3 include Pez Candy Assorted Fruit, Dubble Bubble Original Twist Bubble Gum, Brach’s Candy Corn, and Jelly Belly candies. Frozen products such as Good Humor’s Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bar and TruMoo Strawberry Whole Milk contain Red Dye 3, while some of their competitors have switched to natural colorings. Several processed meats, including smoked sausages and bacon bits, may also contain this dye. Pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements sometimes use Red Dye 3 to color pills and syrups, although many companies have switched to safer alternatives.
Decades of studies, mainly conducted on animals, have repeatedly shown that Red 3 disrupts thyroid hormone regulation, which can lead to thyroid dysfunction. Studies in rats and pigs have observed that Red 3 exposure causes enlarged, tumorous thyroid glands and abnormal hormone regulation, suggesting the dye might cause cancer.
There’s also evidence that Red 3 may interact with amyloid-beta peptides, potentially worsening dementia related diseases like Alzheimer’s. Although researchers haven’t established a direct link to cancer in humans, these findings prompted both California and the FDA to ban its use in food and pharmaceuticals as of January 2025.
Read More: FDA Considers Banning This Controversial Additive in Food
Red Dye 40 (Allura Red AC, FD&C Red No. 40)
Red Dye 40 is found in products like Kool-Aid, Starburst, NyQuil, candies, cereals, sports drinks, frostings, condiments, and jams. It is America’s most widely used dye in food and pharmaceutical products. Its popularity stems from its ability to create vibrant red hues. Research has shown that Red 40, along with Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, contains benzidine, which even at low doses is carcinogenic in both humans and animals.
Studies have linked Red 40 to allergic reactions such as sneezing, watery eyes, skin irritation, hives, asthma, and migraines. Children appear particularly vulnerable, with research associating Red 40 with increased hyperactivity and symptoms of ADHD, as well as irritability, depression, and gastrointestinal issues. Animal studies have demonstrated that Red 40 can cause DNA damage, alter the gut microbiome, and induce colon inflammation. Because of these risks, many experts recommend limiting exposure to Red 40, especially for children.
Yellow Dye 5 (Tartrazine, FD&C Yellow No. 5)
Yellow Dye 5, also known as tartrazine, is commonly found in Doritos, Froot Loops, lemon-flavored Jell-O, Knorr chicken bouillon, M&Ms, Starburst, and a variety of other processed foods. It enhances color vibrancy and protects against fading from environmental factors. It also creates appealing hues in various treats. However, Yellow 5 is notorious for causing allergic reactions and sensitivities, particularly in children and individuals with asthma, aspirin sensitivity, or ADHD symptoms.
The most common adverse reactions to yellow dye 5 include skin rashes (hives), asthma attacks, itching, coughing, and vomiting. More uncommonly, it can cause inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis), purpura (small blood spots on the skin), and contact dermatitis. Some research suggests a genetic component to tartrazine sensitivity. The prevalence of these reactions is higher in children, and the risk increases with greater consumption of foods containing artificial dyes. Because foods with Yellow 5 are typically heavily processed, people concerned about potential health impacts often recommend eliminating or reducing products that contain them from their diet.
Read More: 10 Foods That Contain Red Dye (and Why to Avoid Them)
Yellow Dye 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF, FD&C Yellow No. 6)
Yellow Dye 6, or Sunset Yellow FCF, imparts a yellow-orange hue to candies, cakes, ice cream, pet foods, medicines, and even some apparel. Its widespread use makes it difficult for consumers to avoid. While regulatory agencies have deemed it safe in limited quantities, some research indicates that high, long-term exposure may pose health risks.
Animal studies have linked Yellow 6 to harmful side effects such as cancer, allergies, and hyperactivity in children. Some countries have banned or restricted its use, while others, including the U.S., continue to allow it. The debate over its safety persists, with critics citing the need for more independent toxicity testing and urging consumers to go for natural colorings like lemon zest or yellow peppers when possible.
Blue Dye 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF, FD&C Blue No. 1)
Blue Dye 1 is used in M&M’s, Takis, ice cream, canned peas, soups, popsicles, icing, and a range of confections. While generally considered safe for the general population, the FDA has received reports of toxicity, including death, associated with its use in enteral feeding solutions for critically ill patients.
Researchers have linked serious adverse reactions to this dye, including skin and bodily fluid discoloration, dangerously low blood pressure unresponsive to treatment, metabolic acidosis, and even fatalities. The FDA has issued warnings regarding these risks, particularly for patients experiencing increased gut permeability due to conditions like sepsis or trauma. While the risk appears minimal for most consumers, widespread use in food products raises concerns about cumulative exposure.
Blue Dye 2 (Indigo Carmine, FD&C Blue No. 2)
Blue Dye 2, formally known as Indigo Carmine, is a prevalent coloring agent found in processed foods such as Skittles candies, blueberry Pop-Tarts, cereals, and various snacks. Its primary purpose is to impart a deep blue hue to these products. Concerns regarding Blue 2’s safety have arisen from animal studies, which suggest a correlation with an elevated incidence of brain tumors in rats.
Although human data research remains inconclusive, these findings in animal studies have fueled the movement advocating for the elimination of synthetic dyes from food. The ongoing debate centers on whether typical dietary exposure poses a significant health risk. However, the FDA’s recent precautionary stance on banning artificial dyes through evidence collected from animal studies proves that this dye might be more harmful than once thought.
Read More: 5 Ingredients You Do Not Want in Your Food
Green Dye 3 (Fast Green FCF, FD&C Green No. 3)
Green Dye 3 is a less prevalent synthetic coloring agent compared to alternatives like Red 40 or Yellow 5. Despite its lower usage rate, it remains present in various processed foods including canned vegetables, cereals, candies, ice cream, salad dressings, and soft drinks. Concerns surrounding Green 3’s safety have emerged from research conducted on rodents.
These studies suggest a potential link between consumption of the dye and an increased incidence of bladder tumors. This has understandably drawn attention from regulatory bodies. While human data remains limited, the FDA’s decision to include Green 3 in proposed artificial dye bans highlights a broader concern regarding even low-volume synthetic dyes exhibiting possible carcinogenic properties.
Citrus Red 2 and Orange
Manufacturers primarily use Citrus Red 2 to color orange peels, while they use Orange B to color sausage casings. Researchers have flagged both synthetic dyes as potential carcinogens based on findings from animal studies. The identification of these risks has resulted in their inclusion within the proposed artificial dye ban. While their prevalence in food products is considerably lower than other colorants currently under review, it’s important to note that they are still present.
Medical and Scientific References
A growing body of medical literature is increasingly supporting the artificial dye ban. California’s Environmental Protection Agency recently conducted an assessment. Conducted in 2021, their research showed relationships that directly linked synthetic food dyes to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral issues in children.
Organizations like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), alongside various advocacy groups, consistently emphasize the absence of any nutritional value from these dyes. They also highlight potential risks associated with behavioral changes and allergic reactions, particularly impacting children.
Research, including studies referenced by both the FDA and independent researchers, has revealed carcinogenic and neurotoxic effects caused by several dyes, notably Red 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 2. It’s also noteworthy that the European Union and numerous other industrialized nations have already implemented restrictions or outright bans on many of these dyes, citing comparable health concerns.
What’s Next for Food Companies and Consumers?
The FDA’s artificial dye ban, which is actually being enacted, relies heavily on voluntary cooperation from the food industry, with a national timeline set for the end of 2026. The agency plans to authorize new natural color additives and work with the National Institutes of Health to further study the health impacts of food additives, especially on children.
Consumers should expect to see reformulated products with less vibrant colors as manufacturers switch to natural alternatives like beet juice, carrot juice, and other plant-based colorings. While some industry groups warn of potential supply chain disruptions and the need for more research, public health advocates see the artificial dye ban as a long-overdue step toward safer food.
Conclusion
The artificial dye ban marks a significant shift in U.S. food policy, aligning the country more closely with international standards and addressing decades-long concerns about the safety of synthetic food dyes. As the FDA and HHS push forward with this initiative, the American food landscape is set to become less colorful, but advocates argue that this is far healthier for children and families nationwide.
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