FDA’s Latest Nudge to Phase Out Petroleum-Derived Color Additives February 19, 2026 By Riëtte van Laack —

https://www.thefdalawblog.com/2026/02/fdas-latest-nudge-to-phase-out-petroleum-derived-color-additives/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fdas-latest-nudge-to-phase-out-petroleum-derived-color-additives As we previously reported, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and FDA have highlighted the removal of petroleum-based synthetic dyes which remain approved for use in food as a focus of the MAHA campaign. These dyes include FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2. Rather than rescinding the approvals for these petroleum-based synthetic dyes, a process that would involve time-consuming rulemaking and would require evidence that these color additives are unsafe, the Secretary and FDA have taken actions to “encourage” industry to voluntarily remove them from food products.