The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning to gradually phase out petroleum-based synthetic colors in food. This move is expected to affect thousands of products that are mainly consumed by children and is seen as part of the Trump administration's continuation and strengthening of the public health policy direction of the previous Biden administration.
The plan is being jointly promoted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will explain the details on Tuesday (April 4). During his campaign against current President Trump, Robert Kennedy Jr. repeatedly promised to eradicate artificial colors, and in a meeting with food industry players in March, he stated that he would strive to completely eliminate related additives during his term.
Of the 36 color additives currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, nine are petroleum-based synthetics, including "Blue No. 9" commonly found in candies and baked goods, "Red No. 1" used in soda and pet food, and "Yellow No. 40" used in beverages and cakes.
The Biden administration had already announced a ban on "Red No. 1" before leaving office in January this year, and the ban will take effect as early as 3. A study by the Food and Drug Administration showed that Red 2027 may cause cancer in laboratory mice.
｜Extended reading｜It was banned from being used in lipsticks 35 years ago. The US FDA has now completely banned the addition of erythrosine red dye 3 to food.
Experts generally support this reform, believing that although artificial colors can increase the attractiveness of food, they have no substantial benefits to the human body and may even promote excessive intake and cause obesity. Jerold Mande, a professor of nutrition at Harvard University, pointed out that such additives contribute to obesity; Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, bluntly stated that pigments "are unnecessary except for aesthetics," and cited the example of Kellogg's Canadian branch using natural vegetable and fruit juices to color its cereals, while the United States still relies on artificial dyes.
Additionally, several studies have suggested that certain pigments may have a greater impact on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Although the government and academia have expressed support for the elimination of artificial colors, the industry has expressed strong opposition. The National Confectioners Association (NCA) warned that the new regulations would push up food prices and reduce product choices; Peter Lurie, a former FDA official and current director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, also countered that artificial colors are merely a marketing tool for companies and do not affect food quality and safety.
