FDA to eliminate set of synthetic dyes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the agency’s plan to transition away from six petroleum-based synthetic food dyes by the end of 2026.

The FDA cited recent concerns regarding the adverse effects of the synthetic dyes in its decision to move toward more natural alternatives such as calcium phosphate, gardenia blue and butterfly pea flower extract. Among the synthetic dyes were FD&C Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Green No. 3, Blue No. 1 and Blue No. 2. The FDA also plans to revoke the authorization of Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B.

The agency hopes the removal of synthetic dyes can help mitigate adverse health effects such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other behavior-related issues among children.

Read more: FDA

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