HHS, FDA Offer Timeline for Phasing Out Petroleum-Based Food Dyes

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have released further details of their plans to remove all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply.

“Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children as they already do in Europe and Canada,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., said in a statement.

To further advance the implementation of the ban, the FDA plans to establish a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives.

The agency will begin the process by revoking authorization for two synthetic food colorings (Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B) in the next several months. They will then work with industry to eliminate six additional synthetic dyes (FD&C Green No. 3; FD&C Red No. 40; FD&C Yellow No. 5; FD&C Yellow No. 6; FD&C Blue No. 1; and FD&C Blue No. 2) by the end of 2026, and food companies will be required to remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the previously imposed 2027-2028 deadline.

Furthermore, four new natural color additives will be promptly authorized. The review process for calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, butterfly pea flower extract, and other natural alternatives to synthetic food dyes will be accelerated. The FDA will provide the affected industries with guidance and offers of regulatory flexibility.

Finally, the FDA plans to partner with the National Institutes of Health to thoroughly investigate how food additives impact children’s health and development.

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Source: HealthDay

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