CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Food and Drug Administration will ban several synthetic food colorings and dyes, including Citrus Red 2, Orange B, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5 and 6, and FD&C Blue No. 1 and 2, prompting a shift to natural alternatives.
Monica Giusti, a professor at Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, said studies confirm the safety of these dyes but noted growing consumer demand for natural ingredients and cleaner labels. “Consumers are looking for healthier alternatives,” Giusti said.
Affected products include snacks like Doritos and Cheetos, which use Red No. 40, and candies such as M&M’s, Sour Patch Kids, and Swedish Fish. Dyes also appear in cake mixes, sprinkles, frosting, cereals like Froot Loops and Trix, some Gatorade flavors, and yogurts.
Giusti emphasized that synthetic dyes provide visual appeal without affecting taste, so products switching to natural colorings will look different but maintain their flavor. Plant-based materials, used for years to color foods, will serve as alternatives.
The transition to natural colorings will take time, Giusti said, and consumers should expect changes in product appearance.