Investing.com -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new measures today to eliminate all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the country’s food supply. This is a critical step in the administration’s larger initiative to Make America Healthy Again.

These modifications will impact numerous food corporations, including PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP ), General Mills (NYSE: GIS ), Mars, and WK Kellogg. The industry has contested the allegations about the risks of artificial dyes, arguing that there is insufficient evidence to justify any prohibitions.

The FDA has outlined several actions to implement these changes. A national standard and timeline will be established for the food industry to switch from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives. The FDA is also initiating the process to withdraw authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—in the coming months.

Additionally, the FDA plans to work with the industry to remove six other synthetic dyes—FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow (OTC: YELLQ ) No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—from the food supply by the end of next year. The agency will authorize four new natural color additives in the coming weeks and expedite the review and approval of others.

The FDA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will collaborate to conduct extensive research on the impact of food additives on children’s health and development. The FDA also requests food companies to remove FD&C Red No. 3 earlier than the previously required 2027-2028 deadline.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated, “For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent. These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development. That era is coming to an end. We’re restoring gold-standard science, applying common sense, and beginning to earn back the public’s trust. And we’re doing it by working with industry to get these toxic dyes out of the foods our families eat every day.”

The FDA is accelerating the review of natural alternatives to synthetic food dyes, such as calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, and butterfly pea flower extract. The agency is also preparing to issue guidance and provide regulatory flexibility to industries.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH, stated, “Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children as they already do in Europe and Canada. We have a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD. Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum-based food dyes, we should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children.”

In collaboration with the NIH Nutrition Regulatory Science and Research Program, the FDA will enhance nutrition and food-related research to better inform regulatory decisions. This partnership will strengthen the FDA’s ability to develop evidence-based food policies, support a healthier America, and advance the priorities of the Make America Healthy Again Commission.

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