U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is leading a nationwide push to eliminate petroleum-based food dyes from the American food supply — and his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative just scored a major win Monday.
This year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration announced a bold national initiative to phase out petroleum-based food dyes from the American food supply.
It was a significant milestone in the Trump Administration’s MAHA efforts — and now it has a new tracking system.
The FDA is working with food manufacturers, retailers, and trade associations to eliminate six remaining certified color additives frequently used in the food supply – 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 2027. The FDA is also taking action to swiftly remove the color additive regulations that allow for the use of Orange B and Citrus Red No. 2. Earlier this year, FDA revoked the authorization for FD&C Red No. 3.
The Consumer Brands Association, a nationwide trade group for manufacturers of packaged foods, beverages and household products, this week announced a voluntary initiative to remove certain FDA-certified dyes from food products by Dec. 31, 2027. Companies supporting this voluntary commitment are agreeing to stop manufacturing food and beverage products with Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Yellow No. 6.
Many major U.S. companies are members of the CBA, including Coca Cola, General Mills, Colgate-Palmolive, Kraft-Heinz, Campbell’s, Church & Dwight, Ferrero USA, and others.
The new “Natural Dye Pledge” website tracks progress by food manufacturers, retailers and trade associations to eliminate the six color additives. Companies with pledges to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients include the manufacturers of some of the most recognizable brands in American grocery stores, including Mars, Inc.; McCormick & Company, Inc.; Nestle S. A; Pepsi Co. Inc.; The Hershey Company; and The Kraft Heinz Company.
The tracker labeled In-N-Out Burger’s goal to eliminate food dyes from strawberry shakes and lemonade as “complete.” It also describes other pledges — such as a pledge by Mars, Inc. to offer non-color additive versions of M&M’s and Skittles by 2026 — as “in progress.”
RFK Jr., has made the removal of synthetic dyes from foods a top priority.
“America is entering a new era of nutrition,” Secretary Kennedy said. “In just a few months, the nation’s leading food and beverage producers have taken bold steps to clean up products loved by children and families. Replacing synthetic food dyes with natural colors marks another major victory in our mission to Make America Healthy Again.”
“Parents and doctors have concerns about petroleum-based food dyes, which have no nutritional benefit,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. “Given the epidemic we face of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD, it’s common sense to work together to remove these chemicals as part of our broader effort to work to improve children’s healthy eating patterns.”
The initiative, announced July 22, builds on CBA’s previously announced commitment to remove FD&C colors from food and beverage products served in schools by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
Recent polling suggests the change has broad support. Two in three respondents to a June Ipsos poll, or 67%, said they do not think foods that contain artificial food dyes in them are safe to eat, even when those dyes are approved by the FDA.
Synthetic food dyes derived from petroleum are used in food products to make them more visually appealing, especially in products marketed to children.
Their consumption is widespread. A 2016 study found that approximately 94% of people over two years of age in the U.S. consumed Red Dye 40.
But they have also been associated with a number of health risks, including neurobehavioral impacts in children, carcinogenic potential, genotoxicity and gastrointestinal effects, according to a scientific review provided to reporters by HHS in April.
The Trump administration argues that removing food dyes from the American food supply furthers the America First agenda.
Melissa Hockstad, president & CEO of CBA, said the initiative is an example of companies taking voluntary action to remove controversial ingredients to meet consumer demand.
“As the industry takes this voluntary step, it’s critical the Trump administration supports federal uniformity as it relates to ingredient safety and transparency as a necessary measure to ensure the Make America Healthy Again legacy and allow companies to innovate to provide healthier choices,” Hockstad said.
Consumer Brands said it will work with the FDA to prioritize increased access to natural color alternatives and ensure all natural ingredients also follow a rigorous science and risk-based evaluation process, using research and data that is objective, peer-reviewed and relevant to human health and safety.