By Julie Holt, Director, Global Advisory Services
FoodChain ID experts in Regulatory and Scientific Consulting offer global guidance to meet the evolving demands of the food and beverage marketplace.
Under the Make American Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, United States Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F Kenney Jr. recently announced a shortened timeline for removal of artificial food dyes from the U.S. food supply. During an interview on April 9 with CBS, the Secretary stated that he is accelerating the ban on synthetic dyes such as Yellow #5 to a two-year deadline rather than the original timing of 2029. The initial four-year timeline was set to coincide with the end of his term.
While Secretary Kennedy acknowledges technical and cost challenges associated with substituting natural food dyes, the food and beverage industry will have to act quickly or face government intervention. One technical challenge is creating vegetable dyes that are as vibrant as their synthetic counterparts. It is unclear whether the natural dyes will lead to increased costs for consumers, but product reformulations can be expensive.
Recently synthetic food dyes have faced increasing scrutiny. West Virginia recently passed legislation banning synthetic food dyes with an enforcement date of August 1, 2025. At least twenty-three other states have similar active legislation underway. Earlier this year the FDA banned Red No. 3 at the federal level starting in 2027.
The food industry is already pivoting towards removal of synthetic dyes. The ingredient shift is largely viewed as an opportunity to improve food and beverage products, and the industry tone with HHS initiatives is considered collaborative and constructive. Secretary Kennedy’s office signaled that further regulatory action may follow.
About the Author
Julie Holt is a subject matter expert in the areas of food and beverage, additives, and regulatory strategy. She has beverage industry expertise and currently provides consulting support across multiple beverage categories. Ms. Holt has more than 25+ years of regulatory experience in the food and food ingredients industries and managed her own advisory firm, Scientific & Regulatory Solutions LLC, prior to joining FoodChain ID. As a consultant, Julie supported several food and beverage clients including a Fortune 50 company. Julie has provided global regulatory knowledge covering more than 200 countries.
