The US National Institute of Health has announced a wonderful initiative to collaborate with major food companies to phase out six synthetic food dyes from their products as swiftly as possible.

This exciting effort, led by the FDA, will focus on eliminating Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Blue 2, Citrus Red 2, and Orange B, which have been associated with hyperactivity, mood disruptions, diabetes, obesity, and even cancer in children. The FDA has set a goal to complete this transition by the end of 2026, and they are also encouraging the industry to remove Red 3 by that same date.

In a positive move to tackle the root causes of obesity and chronic disease in America, the NIH is starting this important work with synthetic food dyes—an area that has been long advocated for by consumer safety organizations. This step is seen as a significant opportunity to enhance the health of our children.

In Europe, natural colorants like turmeric (for a cheerful yellow), spirulina (for a vibrant blue-green), and carotenoids (for a delightful orange-red) are already being used. These natural alternatives not only brighten up our food but also add nutritional benefits—turmeric being a superfood and spirulina rich in iron.

In contrast, synthetic dyes often lack nutritional value and are primarily used to enhance the visual appeal of ultra-processed foods, such as Kellogg’s Froot Loops, which currently contains four of the six synthetic dyes.

In addition to this fantastic progress regarding food dyes, the FDA is eager to approve the use of these natural alternatives, including a stunning blue and purple coloring sourced from butterfly pea flower, a beloved ingredient in herbal teas in China for centuries.

Although these synthetic dyes are commonly found in certain children’s medicines—such as multi-vitamins, toothpaste, and cough syrup—this initiative marks a significant step toward protecting our children from harmful chemicals.

This is an exciting time for positive change in our food supply, and we look forward to seeing healthier options for everyone!