Regulatory Change and Health Concerns
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary plan to phase out eight petroleum-based artificial colors from the US food supply, citing potential neurobehavioral problems in children as a concern.
The FDA, while previously maintaining the safety of these dyes, has begun a gradual ban on specific dyes like Red 3 due to cancer risks in rats, aligning with growing health advocacy for natural substitutes.
Industry and Public Response
The food industry's transition to natural dyes is estimated to cost billions, but many companies have already adapted their products for markets with stricter regulations, like Europe and Canada.
State-level actions, such as those in West Virginia and California, reflect a broader movement towards eliminating artificial dyes from food, with 26 other states considering similar legislation.