In a landmark move under President Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary unveiled a sweeping plan to ban nearly all petroleum-based synthetic food dyes in the U.S. food supply by the end of 2026.

“Today the FDA is taking action to remove petroleum-based food dyes from the US food supply and from medications,” Makary said Tuesday at the top of his remarks. “For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals.”

The FDA will phase out six major synthetic dyes: Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3—compounds found in everything from cereals to candies to cough syrups. Makary said the decision is based on growing evidence linking these dyes to a range of health issues.

“The scientific community has conducted a number of studies raising concerns about the correlation between petroleum-based synthetic dyes and several health conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, cancer, genomic disruption, GI issues… and allergic reactions,” Makary noted.

Citing a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study published in The Lancet, Makary stressed the real-world behavioral impact of these additives: “Artificial colors in the diet result in increased hyperactivity.”

Parents have been sounding the alarm for years, and Makary urged officials to take those observations seriously. “As I know from my experience taking care of children as a doctor, you have to always listen to the mom.”

He also warned that these dyes are being used to manipulate children’s eating habits. “Artificial colors that create vibrant colors mess with the child’s developing brain to make ultra-processed foods more attractive, even when the child already feels full.”

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The Trump administration sees this as a pivotal step in reversing the rise of chronic illness in American youth. “While America’s children are sick and suffering, 41% of children have at least one health condition, and one in five are on medication,” Makary said. “The answer is not more Ozempic, more ADHD medication, and more antidepressants… we have to look at underlying root causes.”

In a dig at the pharmaceutical industry, he added, “The best way to lower drug prices is to stop taking drugs we don’t need.”

The FDA’s three-pronged approach includes:

1. Establishing a national standard and timeline to transition from petroleum-based dyes to natural alternatives.
2. Revoking authorization for synthetic dyes not currently in use, including Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B.
3. Banning the remaining six dyes by the end of 2026.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 16, 2024 : Candy ingredients label featuring artificial food dyes including colors Red 40, Blue 2, and Yellow 5.

Petroleum-based synthetic food dyes have long been used in U.S. food products to enhance color and visual appeal. These dyes are derived from crude oil and are commonly found in candies, cereals, soft drinks, snacks, and even medications. While they help make food look more attractive—especially to children—growing research has raised red flags about their impact on human health.

These dyes are already banned or heavily restricted in countries like the U.K. and throughout the European Union, where manufacturers often replace them with natural alternatives like beet juice, turmeric, or paprika extract. The FDA’s move now brings the U.S. closer to global food safety standards.

These synthetic dyes are commonly found in a wide variety of processed foods, particularly those aimed at children. Red 40 is used in products like Skittles, Doritos, fruit snacks, and brightly colored cereals such as Froot Loops. Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 appear in items like Mountain Dew, Cheetos, boxed macaroni and cheese, Jell-O, and Cheez-Its.

Blue 1 is found in blue raspberry candies, sports drinks like Gatorade Frost, cotton candy, and frosted pastries, while Blue 2 is used in cereals, candy coatings, and even pet food. Green 3 is less common but is still present in mint-flavored products, ice cream toppings, and holiday-themed desserts.