Food Artificial Food Colorants, Carmine, Cochineal, FDA, Food Dyes, Food Industry, food safety, Galdieria Extract, health risks, Natural Dyes, Synthetic Colorants, U.S. Regulations Oliver May 7, 2025 0 Comments

Eliminating artificial food dyes: Big changes ahead.

Eliminating artificial food dyes: A big change is coming to what colors your food.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to phase out synthetic, petroleum-based food dyes. These artificial dyes, such as red No. 40 and yellow No. 5, have long been used to make foods bright and appealing. But concerns have grown about health risks.
Dr. Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner, announced the agency’s shift on April 22. The plan includes a push to replace synthetic dyes with natural ones. These plant-based alternatives come from fruits, vegetables, minerals, and even insects.

What’s Driving the Ban

Health concerns played a key role. Some artificial dyes have been linked to cancer, ADHD symptoms, and other behavioral issues. Red No. 3, for instance, has already been banned in California and by the FDA, effective in 2027.
West Virginia went even further. The state banned seven artificial dyes and two preservatives in March. Public demand and pressure from health experts pushed lawmakers to act.
“Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents, we should not be taking risks,” Makary said.

The Natural Alternatives

The FDA is also fast-tracking approval for several natural dyes. These include:

Galdieria extract blue
Gardenia blue
Butterfly pea flower
Calcium phosphate

Some are already in use. Annatto from tree seeds gives a yellow tone. Beets add red to purple hues. Carmine, a red dye, comes from crushed cochineal insects found on cacti.

Beta-carotene, turmeric, grape skin, spirulina, and matcha are other common sources.

The Challenges for Industry

Switching dyes is not simple. Synthetic dyes are stable. They hold their color well over time. Natural dyes react differently depending on the product, storage, and ingredients.
One red synthetic dye may need 10 natural replacements for different products. Color stability becomes a major issue.
Cost is another hurdle. Natural dyes are harder to source and process. For example, 70,000 insects are needed to produce just 2.2 pounds of carmine dye.
Converting one product can take six months to a year.

How This Affects You

For the consumer, the shift may mean a small rise in prices. Some report taste differences with natural dyes, though most of this is psychological. The base ingredients usually remain unchanged.
Experts say the benefits outweigh the challenges. Natural dyes may offer anti-inflammatory benefits. And the risks tied to synthetics could be avoided.
Some U.S. companies have already removed artificial dyes. Other countries did it years ago.
According to Dr. Marion Nestle, “This seems like a no-brainer.”