Food and drug manufacturers that add artificial dyes to their products may soon have to change their approach.
The federal government is pushing manufacturers to eliminate eight dyes that currently are added to food products and medications by the end of 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The dyes are used to boost the color of products so they look more appealing. But Robert Kennedy — HHS secretary under President Donald Trump — long has criticized such additives for possibly contributing to health concerns.
The dyes that the government wants to disappear are:
- FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2
- FD&C Green No. 3
- FD&C Red No. 40
- FD&C Yellow Nos 5 and 6
- Citrus Red No. 2
- Orange B
This is not the first time the government has taken aim at food dyes. The administration of President Joe Biden banned Red No. 3, with a deadline of Jan. 15, 2027.
In fact, the practice of using dyes in foods — typically for the purpose of enhancing food appearance — has been “a hot and controversial topic for quite some time now,” says Lena Bakovic, a registered dietitian nutritionist with Top Nutrition Coaching.
Controversy over the food dye ban
Initial reports suggested that the federal government intended to outright ban the dyes listed above. However, controversy has arisen about whether or not these dyes are about to disappear from the food and drug supply.
Recent news reports say it is wrong to characterize the government’s latest move as a “ban” on these dyes.
Instead, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has asked manufacturers to voluntarily eliminate the dyes from products.
Whether the manufacturers will follow the government’s request is an open question. Some reports have suggested that industry leaders are pushing back against claims that they have signed on to the elimination of these dyes.
That has opened the door for critics who charge that the government has stopped short of using its regulatory power to ban the dyes.
Late in April, the FDA issued a statement saying it was “initiating the process to revoke authorization” of Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B.
Meanwhile, the agency said it is “working with the industry” to eliminate the remaining dyes by the end of 2026.
The FDA also says it is requesting that industry leaders speed up the timeline for eliminating Red No. 3, which has indeed been banned definitively.
Are food dyes a threat your health?
Even if manufacturers do eliminate dyes from the food and drug supply, will it actually boost public health efforts?
Many experts contend there is no proof that the dyes are a threat to the well-being of consumers.
But others point to studies that have shown a potential link between the dyes and behavioral and cognitive issues in children who consume them.
“There actually is some evidence of a potential relationship between the consumption of food dyes by children, particularly, and subsequent hyperactivity,” Bakovic says.
She says that while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers most dyes used in foods to be safe – at least in limited amounts – regulatory bodies in other countries disagree.
Overall, the debate over food dye safety remains unsettled, Bakovic says.
“I personally lean more towards the side of avoiding food dye use due to their potential health risks, and perhaps finding alternative and hopefully natural ingredients to take their place,” she says.
However, she adds that she her instincts are to “lean into the current scientific evidence” and to remain open-minded about food dye safety depending on what researchers find in the future.
How to avoid food dyes
If you want to avoid food dyes, it is important to take a proactive approach and educate yourself about what is in your favorite food products.
“Become comfortable with reading nutrition labels, particularly ingredient lists,” Bakovic says.
Food dyes are often the last item listed on a label, according to the Environmental Working Group. If a product has a dye that makes you uncomfortable, look for alternatives.
“Foods can be colored with alternative natural dyes, such as beets or turmeric,” Bakovic says.
The FDA says it is in the process of authorizing four new natural color additives.
Food dyes are most likely to be found in packaged, ultra-processed foods. That means one of the best ways to avoid food dyes is also among the simplest.
“A recommendation I feel very comfortable making across the board is to more often choose foods in their whole form,” Bakovic says. “This includes the many varieties of fruits, vegetables, whole and ancient grains, and lean protein sources and dairy products.”
The EWG offers additional tips for avoiding food dyes, including:
- Steer clear of sodas. These beverages are a major source of food dyes.
- Look for USDA-certified organic products. Foods that the U.S. Department of Agriculture certifies as organic cannot contain artificial food dyes.
- Create your own, more healthful versions of foods. For example, skip flavored yogurt and add fresh fruit to plain Greek yogurt.
You will also need to become a “label detective” and carefully read the list of ingredients if you want to avoid dyes in medications.
If you struggle to find a dye-free drug that you need, one possible alternative is to check with a compounding pharmacy and see if it can provide the same medication without the added dye.
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