By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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TUESDAY, April 29, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 The push to remove artificial colors from U.S. foods is gaining speed, but making the change won’t be easy \u2014 or quick.<\/p>\n
Last week, U.S. health officials directed food companies to voluntarily phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes<\/a> by the end of 2026.<\/p>\n U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr<\/a>. called these dyes “poisonous compounds” that could harm children’s health and development, according to the Associated Press<\/em>.<\/p>\n This move follows mounting public pressure that resulted in a ban on the dye Red 3, which has been linked to cancer risks in lab animals. Artificial dyes are common in such foods as cereals, candy and sports drinks.<\/p>\n At Sensient Technologies<\/a>, one of the world\u2019s largest dyemakers, scientists are working hard to find natural alternatives.<\/p>\n At its St. Louis color factory, food scientist Abby Tampow<\/a> spent an afternoon trying to match a synthetic red used in bottled raspberry vinaigrette to a mix of carrot juice and beta-carotene.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of our customers have decided that this is finally the time when they\u2019re going to make that switch to a natural color,\u201d Dave Gebhardt<\/a>, Sensient\u2019s senior technical director, told the AP<\/em>.<\/p>\n But the shift will be a challenge. Natural colors are harder to make, less stable under heat and light and cost about 10 times more than synthetic versions.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not like there\u2019s 150 million pounds of beet juice sitting around waiting on the off chance the whole market may convert,” said Sensient CEO Paul Manning<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cTens of millions of pounds of these products need to be grown, pulled out of the ground, extracted,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Natural dyes come from fruits, vegetables, flowers and even insects. For example, making a bright “Barbie pink” color naturally may require using cochineal insects from Peru. It takes about 70,000 bugs to produce just 2.2 pounds of dye, the AP <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n About 1 in 5 U.S. food products contain added colors, many with multiple dyes.<\/p>\n Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says approved dyes are safe when used properly, critics argue that they are a key marker of ultraprocessed foods. These foods, which make up more than 70% of the American diet, have been linked to health problems like heart disease<\/a>, diabetes<\/a> and obesity.<\/p>\n \u201cI am all for getting artificial food dyes out of the food supply,\u201d Marion Nestle<\/a>, a food policy expert, said to the AP<\/em>. \u201cThey are strictly cosmetic, have no health or safety purpose, are markers of ultraprocessed foods and may be harmful to some children.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, changes can backfire.<\/p>\n In 2016, General Mills removed artificial colors from Trix cereal, but fans missed the bright neon colors and flavor. The company later brought them back in 2017.<\/p>\n Many companies, including PepsiCo and WK Kellogg, say they are moving ahead with plans to remove synthetic dyes. Sensient officials said they are ready to help food makers meet the 2026 target.<\/p>\n \u201cNow that there\u2019s a date, there\u2019s the timeline,\u201d Manning said. \u201cIt certainly requires action.\u201d<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more on color additives<\/a> in foods.<\/p>\n