F.D.A. Relaxes Rules on ‘Naturally Derived’ Dyes
"Food makers will now be able to claim that their products have “no artificial colors,” so long as they use dyes that are not petroleum-based.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday announced the Food and Drug Administration was relaxing its enforcement of federal food additive regulations, making it easier for manufacturers to claim that they are not using artificial dyes in their products.
The F.D.A. has barred food makers from advertising that products contain “no artificial colors” unless they have no added dyes of any kind. But Mr. Kennedy and F.D.A. officials announced that the agency would no longer enforce that rule, so long as companies were not using petroleum-based dyes.
Mr. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Makary, who runs the F.D.A., said in a joint statement that the change would encourage food makers to use natural dyes instead of artificial dyes for products aimed at consumers who eschew “artificial” ingredients.
“We are making it easier for companies to move away from petroleum-based synthetic colors and adopt safer, naturally derived alternatives.” Mr. Kennedy said in a statement.
The agency also approved beetroot red, a new color option, as well as the expanded use of spirulina extract, an existing color additive derived from a type of algae. Those approvals bring to six the number of natural dyes that the agency has authorized since President Trump and Mr. Kennedy took office.
Mr. Kennedy’s effort to nudge food makers away from petroleum-based dyes is part of his broader effort to remake the American diet. The F.D.A. is considering a petition from Dr. David Kessler, who ran the agency in the 1990s, that has outlined a regulatory path by which the agency can rid the food supply of ultraprocessed foods — another high priority for Mr. Kennedy.
Health advocates have long criticized synthetic food dyes, citing a limited body of research connecting them to behavior problems in children. But the food industry has said any ingredient they use has been shown to be safe, and some experts say some natural food dyes may not be any safer.
Mr. Kennedy also presided over an overhaul of federal dietary guidelines, including a revamp of the food pyramid, which now emphasizes protein over carbohydrates.
The F.D.A.’s announcement comes as Mr. Kennedy travels the nation promoting the new guidelines. On Thursday, he is scheduled to deliver a “fireside chat” at a cattle industry convention in Tennessee — an appearance that dovetails with his call for Americans to eat more proteins like steak, cheese and whole milk while limiting carbohydrates.
“We’re asking people now, ‘Eat real food,’” Mr. Kennedy said Wednesday at the Tennessee State Capitol. “Eat protein.”
Mr. Kennedy made clear when he took office last year that changing the American diet was high on his priority list. He announced what he called a ban on artificial food dyes and said he had “an understanding” with major food manufacturers to remove petroleum-based food colorings from their products by 2026.
But the secretary has been unwilling to use the standard tools of government — regulation and legislation — to achieve that goal. Instead, he has relied on voluntary cooperation from food manufacturers. His peer-pressure approach has produced some results; big food makers including Nestlé and Conagra have signed on to the plan, though candy makers, who rely heavily on artificial dyes, have resisted his entreaties.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg covers health policy for The Times from Washington. A former congressional and White House correspondent, she focuses on the intersection of health policy and politics."
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