U.S. health agencies announced that the food industry will begin "phasing out" eight artificial food dyes in the coming years. Synthetic food dyes have just been better.
Their colors tend to be more vibrant, and their chemical makeup tends to be more resilient against the (literal) pressures of food manufacturing: high temperatures, extrusion and pH changes. Natural dyes are more fragile in part because they are often extracted alongside sugar and other flavoring molecules that decompose under stress. This extra.
In the labeling of foods, most certification-exempt color additives may be declared as "artificial color" or "artificial coloring" (21 CFR 101.22 (k) (2)), while certified color additives must be. The FDA is phasing out the use of petroleum. The health secretary announced a push to eliminate petroleum-based colorants from the food supply.
But he'll need to get food companies on board. Food companies are facing shifting litigation landscapes in Louisiana, Texas, West Virginia, and California including state bans targeting color additives. Food ingredients as authorized by a definitions and standard of identity prescribed by regulations pursuant to section 401 of the act are color additives, where the ingredients are specifically designated in the definitions and standards of identity as permitted for use for coloring purposes.
Thus, states have the liberty to enact their own laws banning or restricting artificial food dyes unless Congress expressly indicates that a specific dye is safe or if a state law conflicts with federal requirements regarding specific food dyes. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday a series of measures to phase out eight artificial food dyes. What do the 2025 FDA food colour regulations mean for brands? Learn how to reformulate without synthetic food dyes like Red No.
3 and explore new natural food colour alternatives.