Artificial dyes are on their way out of your food. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says that is not up for debate. By the end of 2026, eight synthetic colorings will be banned in the U.S. food and drug supply. And that includes the stuff your kids love: candy, soft drinks, ice cream, and snack foods.
At a news conference in Washington on April 22, RFK Jr. laid out the timeline. He said this is not about being trendy or going natural. It is about health. These artificial dyes were added to make food look better, especially after it loses color from heat, light, or storage.
But Kennedy says the health risks far outweigh the cosmetic benefits.
The List of Artificial Dyes on the Chopping Block
The dyes getting the axe include FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow Nos. 5 and 6, plus Orange B and Citrus Red No. 2. These chemicals have been used for decades, but new research - and a growing pile of old concerns - pushed them into the spotlight. The FDA says they are now working with the NIH to study how these food additives may affect child development.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's choice to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, appears before the Senate Finance Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Now, as part of the Trump administration, his health campaign - dubbed “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) has picked up steam. Trump endorsed the ban, and food companies have been warned.
Health Studies Spark New Warnings
Kennedy isn’t alone in thinking these dyes are bad news. A 2021 study by California’s EPA linked them to hyperactivity and other behavioral issues in kids. Other studies in Europe have shown similar results, leading the EU to put tighter restrictions on artificial food coloring.
California has already banned several dyes in school lunches. Now the whole country’s catching up.
Back in March, Kennedy met privately with food giants like PepsiCo, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, and Kellogg’s. He didn’t mince words. According to CBS News, he told them point blank: artificial dyes have to be out in two years. No excuses!
Behind the scenes, some CEOs were hesitant. Kennedy said his own staff was surprised by how resistant the industry seemed at first.
Telly / The FDA already had a ban lined up for Red Dye No. 3, scheduled to kick in by January 2027 under Biden.
Kennedy Pushes for Faster Action
There is another layer to this: Trust in the system. Kennedy says part of the problem is that there just aren’t enough good studies on food dyes. And that is not by accident. He blames conflicts of interest in federal agencies for holding back the truth. If regulators are too close to the industries they are supposed to watch, consumers lose out.
But now, Kennedy says the Trump administration is pushing companies to move faster. He wants the Red No. 3 ban bumped up to align with the new 2026 deadline.
By pulling these dyes from the entire supply chain, Kennedy aims to cut exposure across the board. He says it is time to stop letting petroleum-based chemicals into products that kids use every day.
Four natural alternatives are also getting FDA approval in the coming weeks. These plant-based options will help companies replace the bright reds and blues without sacrificing the look of the product.