April 22, 2025 — In a major regulatory move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to phase out several synthetic food dyes from the American food supply.
The FDA will begin by revoking authorization for two synthetic dyes in the coming months, while working closely with industry to eliminate six more by the end of 2026. At the same time, the agency intends to approve four new natural color additives in the coming weeks, with further natural alternatives under expedited review.
This announcement was made during a press conference led by FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., highlighting growing regulatory momentum toward safer, more transparent food systems. The initiative reflects growing concerns about the long-term health impact of artificial colorants—especially on children.
Although the scientific community emphasizes that more research is needed to confirm strong causal links, regulators pointed to potential connections between synthetic dyes and conditions such as ADHD, obesity, food allergies, and diabetes. As part of its strategy, the FDA is partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to accelerate studies on how food additives affect child development.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Makary stressed that this transition will not increase food costs and encouraged manufacturers to turn to natural ingredients such as beet juice, watermelon extract, and carrot juice for food coloring. He called the current reliance on synthetic additives "one of the largest uncontrolled experiments on our nation's children."
This policy shift is already influencing the industry. Major food companies—including PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, and Kellogg—have begun formulating new products without synthetic dyes, particularly those supplied to schools. The Consumer Brands Association (CBA) has pledged to support the move and promote safer, dye-free products.
For innovators in the field of natural bioactive compounds, this announcement underscores a growing global demand for plant-based, functional alternatives to synthetic chemicals. At NatureEx.ai, we see this as a significant validation of our mission—to harness AI and scientific rigor to help industries replace synthetic compounds with safe, sustainable, and effective natural ingredients.