Sponsors (5)
The bill would reduce consumer exposure to certain synthetic food dyes and give the FDA clearer enforcement authority, at the cost of industry reformulation expenses, potential higher prices or reduced choices for consumers, and transitional regulatory uncertainty.
Consumers (including low-income individuals and people with chronic conditions): reduced exposure to listed synthetic food dyes (e.g., Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5) beginning in 2026, likely lowering potential health risks associated with those additives.
Consumers and regulators: foods containing the listed dyes would be legally classified as adulterated, giving the FDA a clearer enforcement basis to remove violative products from the market.
Food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers (including small businesses): will incur reformulation costs and may face supply disruptions to remove banned dyes before the deadlines.
Low-income consumers and other shoppers: could see higher prices or reduced product choices for colored foods and confectionery as industry reforms or discontinues affected items.
Regulated industry and government: the statute's immediate override of existing FDA listings/exemptions may create regulatory uncertainty and invite legal challenges for manufacturers and the agency.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Statutorily declares named synthetic food color additives unsafe and treats foods containing them as adulterated, with phased effective dates in 2025 and 2026.
Deems several specified synthetic food color additives unsafe for use in or on food and treats foods containing them as adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The rule applies to Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B (and similar dyes) beginning December 31, 2025, and to a larger group of common artificial colors (including Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, and several blues and greens) beginning December 31, 2026, regardless of existing FDA listings or certifications.
Official title: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem adulterated food containing certain color additives, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 4, 2025 by Anna Luna · Last progress June 4, 2025