Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced on Tuesday that eight petroleum-derived food dyes will be systematically removed from the American food system in the coming months.
The FDA is starting the process by rescinding its approval for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, while simultaneously working with manufacturers to eliminate six other synthetic colorants from widely consumed food products.
“For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals,” Makary said at the press conference.
Among the additional dyes that will be gradually banned are Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, and Blue No. 2 — commonly found in items such as Pop-Tarts, hot dog casings, Takis, and Mountain Dew.
Federal health agencies intend to establish a clear phase-out schedule in cooperation with food manufacturers, encouraging a shift from petroleum-based colorants to dyes made from natural ingredients.
To facilitate the switch, the FDA will soon approve four plant-based dyes for commercial use and will expedite the evaluation of others still awaiting review.
“If they want to add petroleum, [if] they want to eat petroleum, they ought to add it themselves at home, but they shouldn’t be feeding it to the rest of us without our knowledge or consent,” Kennedy stated.
Officials also want to advance the timeline for removing Red No. 3 from food products, well ahead of the previously anticipated phase-out by 2027 or 2028. The dye, which dates back to 1907 and appears in candies, baked goods, and frostings, is linked to potential cancer risks and behavioral disorders.
In addition, the National Institutes of Health will begin a deeper investigation into how artificial additives may impact children’s development and health.
Makary referenced a study published in The Lancet that suggested a “correlation” between synthetic dyes and a range of health issues including hyperactivity, obesity, diabetes, cancer, digestive ailments, and allergic reactions.
“For companies that are currently using petroleum-based red dye, try watermelon juice,” Makary offered. “For companies currently combining petroleum-based yellow chemical and red dyes together, try carrot juice.”
Although the FDA has acknowledged some evidence connecting artificial dyes to hyperactivity, the agency also admits that the scientific community hasn’t yet reached a definitive conclusion.
Out of 36 food colorings currently approved by the FDA, nine are synthetic and made in part from petroleum, while the rest are derived from natural sources like fruits and vegetables.
The removal of these synthetic additives aligns with Kennedy’s broader “Make America Healthy Again Movement,” which prioritizes minimizing toxic substances in consumer products.
“All of these industries cast a dark shadow historically over this agency and there’s so many conflicts that we are now systematically eliminating that has allowed them to suppress the science,” Kennedy said. “There’s shockingly few studies, even on food dyes.”
Kennedy noted that while no formal agreement has yet been signed with industry leaders, many large companies are already informally cooperating with the government’s goals.
“You win more bees with honey than fire,” Makary remarked, when asked how the agencies plan to move the process forward with minimal regulatory hurdles.
“Let’s start in a friendly way and see if we can do this without any statutory or regulatory changes,” he added. “But we are exploring every tool in the toolbox to make sure this gets done very quickly. They want to do it.”
Kennedy said that in recent days, numerous food executives have reached out proactively, asking for guidance on how to adjust their formulations. He emphasized that many companies have “shown a lot of leadership on this right now.”
Kennedy also suggested that banning petroleum-based food colorants is only the first step in a much larger plan to reshape the American food system under his health initiative.
“We’re going to start on that next,” he replied when asked about his efforts to address pharmaceutical additives.
Future plans include launching a nationwide public health campaign, promoting healthier choices, and creating an online platform where the government will publish details about every known additive in the food supply.
“There’s things that we’ll never be able to eliminate, like sugar. And sugar is poison. And Americans need to know that,” Kennedy said. He later emphasized his vision of having “zero” sugar in the national diet.
Some of his proposed changes, including stricter labeling rules and limitations on ingredients like sugar, would require approval from Congress.
Kennedy was joined by a group of vocal supporters, including several “MAGA moms,” who have backed his mission to reform the country’s food practices.
“If a foreign nation was doing to our children what we are doing in America, we’d go to war to protect them,” said Dr. Mark Hyman, a health advocate who also spoke at the event. “Every day, Americans consume thousands of chemicals in our food, many of which have never been independently tested for long-term safety.”
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, who Kennedy previously mocked, supported the FDA’s move and said it was essential for safeguarding children’s health.
“I want to get the crap out of our food and improve the quality of school meals,” Morrisey said. “They deserve real food, not chemical shortcuts designed to fool the eye but harm the body. That’s what making America healthy again means to us.”
Here are the eight artificial food dyes targeted for elimination:
• Blue No. 1: Also called Brilliant Blue FCF, this dye is petroleum-based and used in products like M&M’s
• Blue No. 2: Known as indigo carmine or indigotine, it mimics the color of natural indigo and is found in items such as Skittles
• Citrus Red No. 2: Used mainly to color orange peels, especially in Florida-grown produce not intended for juicing.
• Green No. 3: A synthetic dye known as Fast Green FCF, created through chemical manufacturing.
• Orange B: Currently approved only for hot dog and sausage casings; large quantities may harm the liver and bile duct.
• Red Dye 40: Marketed as Allura Red AC, it colors items such as Kool-Aid and NyQuil.
• Yellow No. 5: Also called tartrazine, it appears in drinks like Mountain Dew
• Yellow No. 6: Sunset Yellow FCF gives a bright yellow-orange shade to candies like Airheads, Jolly Ranchers, and cereals.