FDA bans six synthetic food dyes, including Red 40, in snacks
The FDA announced a phase‑out of six petroleum‑based synthetic colorants, such as Red, Yellow and Blue 1, aiming to remove them from products like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and Skittles to address health concerns.
Key points
- The FDA will revoke approvals for six artificial dyes, including Red, Yellow and Blue 1.
- Red Dye 40 is slated for removal as part of the phase‑out plan.
- The agency will fast‑track natural alternatives such as beet juice and butterfly pea flower extract.
- PepsiCo and Mars face pressure to reformulate products, though no formal agreement exists.
The FDA is phasing out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes—including Red, Yellow, and Blue 1—by the end of, a move that could transform the look of popular snacks like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Skittles, and Mountain Dew. Announced this week, the plan aims to eliminate six artificial colorants linked to hyperactivity in children and other health concerns, with Red Dye already slated for removal by.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called the phase-out a “no-brainer,” emphasizing that “nobody wants to consume petroleum.” The FDA will revoke approvals for Citrus Red and Orange B, used in sausage casings and orange peels, while fast-tracking natural alternatives like beet juice and butterfly pea flower extract.
Major manufacturers, including PepsiCo and Mars, face pressure to reformulate products voluntarily, though no formal agreement exists. “We’re removing these harmful chemicals from kids’ food,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, citing decades of unchecked use. The shift follows California’s Red Dye ban and growing consumer demand for cleaner ingredients.
Your questions, answered
Which synthetic food dyes are being banned by the FDA?
The FDA is targeting six petroleum‑based dyes, including Red, Yellow and Blue 1, as well as Citrus Red and Orange B.
When will the FDA’s dye phase‑out be completed?
The agency plans to complete the phase‑out by the end of the timeline announced this week.
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