SILVER SPRING, MD — The FDA’s effort to remove synthetic dyes from the US food supply continues with a recent letter sent to food manufacturers urging a faster phase-out of FD&C Red No. 3 ahead of the Jan. 15, 2027, deadline.
“The FDA believes that accelerating the phase out of the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in foods will help further the goal of Making America Healthy Again (MAHA),” the FDA said in the letter.
The government agency, part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), revoked authorization of red dye No. 3 in January of this year.
The Consumer Brands Association — which represents CPG manufacturers including Mondelez International, Kellanova and The Campbell’s Co. — released a statement about its commitment to remove synthetic dyes from products offered in schools by the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.
“While these safe ingredients are supported by scientific evidence and a longstanding history of approval by the FDA, the industry recognizes preferences are evolving and is innovating to meet families where they are,” said Melissa Hockstad, president and CEO of Consumer Brands. “Representing the makers of America’s trusted brands, an industry supporting more than 22 million American jobs, we will continue to work with the administration to achieve federal uniformity on these critical consumer safety and transparency issues.”
In addition to this hastening, the FDA signed off on a fourth naturally derived food additive, gardenia (genipin) blue. In May, the agency announced plans to accelerate the approval of natural additives in efforts to further the Trump administration’s MAHA agenda.
“Every day, children are exposed to synthetic chemicals in food that serve no purpose and threaten their health,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “The FDA’s approval of gardenia blue shows we’re finally putting kids first. Thanks to Dr. Marty Makary’s bold leadership, we’re cutting through industry influence and taking decisive action to Make America Healthy Again.”
