The FDA and HHS are phasing out six widely used synthetic food dyes, including FD&C Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, by the end of 2026 due to growing concerns about their health effects, particularly in pediatric populations. The initiative aims to transition to natural alternatives, enhance research on the health effects of food additives in children, and establish rigorous scientific standards and regulatory approaches to strengthen public confidence in food safety policy.

Source: FDA