Three natural food colorings have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as it seeks to eliminate all synthetic dyes from the US food supply by 2026.
On Friday, the agency approved galdieria extract blue and butterfly pea-flower extract, and expanded approval for calcium phosphate.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made improving the quality of the US food supply a central pillar of his Make America Healthy Again agenda.
“For too long, our food system has relied on synthetic, petroleum-based dyes that offer no nutritional value and pose unnecessary health risks,” he said in a press release to accompany the new approvals.
“We’re removing these dyes and approving safe, natural alternatives—to protect families and support healthier choices.”
Last month, Secretary Kennedy and FDA commissioner Marty Makary laid out their plans to remove all synthetic dyes from the food supply by the end of 2026.
Their plan is for food companies to do so voluntarily, rather than by bringing in outright bans.
Makary announced the FDA would be expediting the review and approval of natural substances.
Bans will, however, also be part of the initiatives. Authorizations for Citrus Red No.2, Orange B and Red 3 will all be revoked.