The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a plan to eliminate synthetic food dyes from the market, replacing them with all-natural alternatives. The Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” effort aims to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in foods.
However, switching to natural dyes is not as simple as FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary suggests. Mark Oliverio, a pickled pepper maker, learned this the hard way five years ago when his grocery chain buyers asked him to remove Yellow Dye No. 5 from his recipe.
Oliverio ran experiments using turmeric root, initially struggling to achieve the desired color. He eventually found a liquid version of the dye that worked perfectly but was pricier and required more quantity. Oliverio’s experience is not unique; European countries have banned more synthetic dyes, and Canada has imposed limits on their use.
The FDA recently approved three new all-natural dyes for manufacturers to use. However, experts say finding natural alternatives can be challenging due to the complexity of extracting color from plants and the cost of doing so. Melissa Wright, a food-safety expert at Virginia Tech University, notes that some colors are harder to reproduce than others.
The FDA’s deadline is set for the end of next year, but industry insiders warn that switching to natural dyes will be a tough task, especially for companies relying on synthetic dyes in multiple products. The cost of natural alternatives can be five to 10 times higher, and finding enough quantity can be a problem.
As Mark Oliverio says, “Ninety percent of the people eat with their eyes.” The FDA’s effort may lead to changes in consumer behavior, but it remains to be seen how effectively companies will adapt to the new regulations.
Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/05/19/nx-s1-5401042/food-dye-synthetic-natural-trump-fda-maha