FDA Applauds Consumer Brands Association Initiative to Remove Artificial Colors From School Foods
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The Consumer Brands Association (CBA) recently announced a voluntary commitment to encourage U.S. food and beverage products to remove artificial food colors from products served in schools nationwide by the start of the 2026–2027 school year. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are applauding CBA’s initiative, which was announced in response to the federal agencies’ prompting.
FDA Pushes Industry to Phase Out Artificial Food Colorings
In April 2025, HHS and FDA announced their intention to phase out the use of synthetic, petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply. The agencies do not intend to pursue any enforceable rulemaking to achieve this goal; rather, the phase-out largely relies on voluntary industry cooperation and the expedited approval of “natural” coloring alternatives. The effort is in line with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s (RFK Jr.’s) “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda.
In response, CBA is encouraging member food and beverage manufacturers to remove food dyes of concern from products sold in schools; specifically, blue dye 1, blue dye 2, green dye 3, red dye 40, red dye 5, and red dye 6. CBA represents more than 2,000 member brands that manufacture consumer goods, including food and beverage products.
Regarding CBA’s announcement, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D. stated, “[FDA has] worked hard with industry over the past three months to meet [FDA and HHS’] goal to phase out all petroleum-based dyes from the nation’s food supply. During this time, FDA also approved four new natural color additives. Today is a win for America’s kids.”
Consumer Brands Association Still Says Food Dyes Are Safe
At the same time, CBA stated its belief that these food dyes are safe and that the food industry is going “above and beyond” by phasing them out of school foods. “While these safe ingredients are supported by scientific evidence and a longstanding history of approval by FDA, the industry recognizes preferences are evolving and is innovating to meet families where they are,” said CBA. “FDA, along with other global food safety authorities, has reaffirmed the safety of artificial colors. Food and beverage manufacturers also already meet the unique safety and nutrition standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Companies supporting this voluntary commitment will go above and beyond these federal requirements.”
FDA Must Ensure Access to Science-Backed, Safe "Natural" Color Alternatives
CBA also said it will continue to work with the current administration on what a larger nationwide phaseout of food dyes could look like in order to avoid state legal patchworks, consumer confusion, and impacts to product access and affordability.
Although industry “will comply with state and federal laws,” stated CBA, “in order for companies to take action on a voluntary commitment beyond schools, FDA must prioritize increased access to natural color alternatives and ensure all-natural ingredients follow a rigorous science and risk-based evaluation process, using research and data that is objective, peer-reviewed, and relevant to human health and safety.”
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