Imagine strolling down the snack aisle and not seeing those bright neon reds and blues on candy packaging anymore.
That reality might be closer than we think. In a major move that could reshape what ends up in our children’s lunchboxes and on our plates, the Food and Drug Administration is stepping in to clean up America’s food dye game.
FDA Moves to Ban Eight Synthetic Food Dyes
Dr. Marty Makary, the current FDA Commissioner, just announced that eight artificial food dyes are being phased out of the U.S. food supply over the next two years.
These dyes—like Red 40 and Blue 1—are some of the most common in everything from candies to drinks to breakfast cereals.
This overhaul aims to protect public health, especially when it comes to kids.
Dr. Makary didn’t hold back, calling these dyes part of a “toxic soup” that children have been consuming for years.
He made it clear: this is about long-overdue change.
Why Now? The Health Risks Have Been Building
Makary referenced a well-known review published in The Lancet that linked artificial dyes to hyperactivity in children. “So why are we taking a gamble?” he asked.
His point was simple—if we know these ingredients might be hurting kids, why are they still in our food?
Among the dyes being phased out are Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Citrus Red 2, and Orange B.
Many of these are made from petroleum and have been connected not just to behavioral issues, but also to health concerns like cancer and digestive problems.
Natural Is the New Normal
The FDA isn’t just cutting out the bad stuff—they’re promoting better alternatives, too.
Dr. Makary, holding up a bottle of juice at the press conference, urged food companies to consider natural options like beet juice or watermelon juice.
The agency also plans to speed up the approval process for natural dyes like calcium phosphate, gardenia blue, and extracts from algae.
These will serve as cleaner, safer alternatives to the dyes we’ve come to expect in processed foods.
RFK Jr. Doubles Down on Transparency
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also weighed in, signaling that more sweeping changes might be on the way.
He emphasized that his administration wants to target every ingredient or additive that poses a health risk—and that includes educating the public when bans aren’t legally possible.
His message to the food industry was clear: the days of hiding behind vague labels are over.
Labels will need to clearly disclose if a product contains artificial coloring.
FDA’s Research Push: What Dyes Are Doing to Children
As part of this new direction, the FDA will also be working with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study how synthetic dyes affect child development and overall health.
The goal? Gather solid data to guide future food safety decisions.
Dr. Makary was honest about the limits of this change. “This isn’t a silver bullet,” he said.
But it’s a start—and a big one.
He’s pushing manufacturers to eliminate Red 3 even faster than the previously set 2027 deadline. Pharmaceutical companies will have until 2028 to remove it from medications.
The European Comparison: Why the U.S. Is Playing Catch-Up
In countries like Canada and across Europe, artificial dyes have been restricted for years—and food companies there have adapted by switching to natural colorings.
In some places, dyes come with warning labels. But in the U.S., regulators have taken a more “wait and see” approach—until now.
Makary and Kennedy want to change that. They’re pushing for proactive regulation and transparency, and making it harder for harmful ingredients to quietly remain in everyday foods.
The Risks of Red 40 and Blue 1
Red 40, one of the most widely used dyes, has come under intense scrutiny.
It contains benzidine, a chemical known to cause cancer in humans and animals—even in low levels.
Canadian studies also suggest it can damage gut health and increase the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and colitis.
Blue 1, often found in gummy bears and other candy, has been tied to hyperactivity and trouble focusing in children.
These are just two of the dyes that have raised red flags in research.
Some States Aren’t Waiting
States like California and West Virginia have already passed their own laws banning these dyes in school meals—and in some cases, beyond schools altogether.
These local actions helped spark the national conversation now being led by the FDA.
What Happens Next?
Food companies will need to act fast. They have two years to cut artificial dyes from their products, with a roadmap provided by the FDA.
For now, we can expect to see changes in labeling, product reformulations, and, hopefully, more transparency when we’re choosing what to buy.
RFK Jr. made a final promise: “Four years from now we’re going to have most of these products off the market—or you will know about them when you go to the grocery store.”