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How will US ban on artificial dyes impact global F&B brands?

As the US prepares to ban synthetic colourings from the food and beverage (F&B) industry, what will the impact be for brands in Europe and beyond?

In April, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published plans released a series of new measures to remove all petroleum-based synthetic colourings from the country’s food industry within the next two years.

Phasing out fake dyes from the US supply chain is part of the US administration’s broader three-stage initiative to “Make America Healthy Again”.

“For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent,” said HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. “These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development.”

‘Historic moment’ for food and beverage industry

Some brands are hopeful that the move will bring fresh market opportunities.

“This is a historic moment for the food and beverage industry,” Julia Streuli, CEO and co-founder of FUL Foods, a spirulina startup based in the Netherlands, told Ingredients Network.

With the FDA announcing plans to phase out artificial dyes, the foodtech company said it expected to see “explosive growth in the demand for natural alternatives”, calling it more than a trend and instead a fundamental shift.

FDA adopts its phasing-out strategy

Moving away from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives is a key priority for the US food and health departments, which are aiming to establish a national standard and timeline for the food sector to achieve this goal.

The US announced it would ban Red No. 3 dye from food formulations earlier in the year. Following the US decision to revoke manufacturers’ use of the colouring, which is predominantly used in confectionery, bakery, and desserts sectors, it will ask food companies to remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the 2027-28 deadline requested.

The US has now said it will initiate the process to halt authorisation in the coming months on two further synthetic food dyes: Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B.

Next, the HHS and FDA will collaborate with the food industry to eradicate the six artificial dyes remaining in the food supply. The US government plans to eliminate FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2 colourings by the end of 2025.

As well as removing synthetic dyes from the food sector, the US agency plans to introduce new colour additives. It will authorise four new natural colourings within weeks and advance the review and approval process for other permissible dyes, with the FDA fast-tracking its review process.

Natural ingredients under analysis include calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, and butterfly pea flower extract.

The US agency will also strive to provide the industry with guidance and “regulatory flexibilities” to support the food sector’s transition from synthetic dyes to natural alternatives.

Gaining an understanding of children’s health and development

Understanding food additives and their impact on health and growth is also part of the US agencies’ plan to remove synthetic dyes.

The HHS and the FDA will partner with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Nutrition Regulatory Science and Research Program to conduct comprehensive research on how food additives affect children. It aims to improve nutrition and food-related research to influence and drive US regulatory decisions, including evidence-based food policies.

“Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children as they already do in Europe and Canada,” said Marty Makary, Commissioner of the FDA.

Building trust, confidence, and credibility

Signalling the US’s ultimate objective is to remove artificial dyes from the food chain, Kennedy said: “That era is coming to an end.”

Building confidence and credibility in the country’s F&B sector is one of the government’s key priorities.

“We’re restoring gold-standard science, applying common sense, and beginning to earn back the public’s trust,” he added.

Taking artificial colourings out of formulation concepts and the R&D pipeline is seen as a necessary step to do this, he said, adding: “And we’re doing it by working with industry to get these toxic dyes out of the foods our families eat every day.”