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.
