On April 21, 2025, it was reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a media advisory describing the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) intention to remove petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply. This announcement comes a few months after the FDA revoked the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 (Red Dye No. 3) in food and ingested drugs. Scientific research has raised certain concerns that synthetic dyes, like Red Dye No. 3, may be carcinogenic or cause hyperactivity in children.
HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary are scheduled to speak at a press conference on April 22, 2025 to discuss the FDA’s plan in greater detail. As more information is released, we will publish an update.
