Food Coloring Changes Coming Soon

Food coloring is about to get a big makeover. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a plan to remove eight common food dyes from the market. These dyes are made from petroleum and are found in many everyday foods. The Department of Health and Human Services made this announcement on Monday. The details of the plan will be shared at an event in Washington on Tuesday. The goal is to have these changes happen by the end of 2026. The eight dyes targeted in this plan are used in cereals, sports drinks, and many other foods. There is no clear plan yet on how to make sure these changes happen. However, the department is pushing for them to be made. For a long time, health advocates have been speaking out against food dyes. They have pointed to studies that suggest a link between these dyes and issues like hyperactivity in children. The Food and Drug Administration has already banned Red Dye No. 3. This happened after studies showed it could cause cancer in lab animals. A law in California also banned this dye in 2023. The eight dyes that are being phased out are very common in the United States. However, in Europe and Canada, companies use natural color substitutes. This is because they are required to use warning labels if they add these dyes. At the event on Tuesday, the secretary is expected to approve more natural dyes. There are many questions about this plan. Will it actually make a difference in people's health? Will companies find good natural substitutes? Will consumers even notice the change? Only time will tell how this all plays out. But one thing is for sure: the food on our plates is about to look a little different.