U.S. Bill Introduced to Ban Synthetic Color Additives in Food, Drugs, Cosmetics
U.S. Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) has introduced legislation that would prohibit the use of synthetic certified color additives, including Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Blue No. 1, in food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics sold in the U.S.
Introduced on October 29, 2026, H.R. 10936, named the Eliminating Dangerous Color Additives Act, would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deem all covered color additives unsafe for use in or on food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics under Section 721(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, beginning two years after the bill's enactment.
Specifically, the prohibition would apply to color additives subject to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certification under 21 CFR Part 74, as well as certified color additive lakes described in 21 CFR 82.51. Color additives exempt from FDA certification, including many naturally derived colors, would not be affected.
Additionally, the bill would require HHS, acting through the FDA Commissioner, to submit a report to Congress within three years of enactment. The report would detail the status of industry reformulation efforts, regulatory changes implemented to comply with the legislation, and any recommendations for further congressional action.
In announcing the legislation, Rep. Mace cited concerns about the potential health and behavioral effects of synthetic dyes, asserting that the additives serve primarily aesthetic purposes. She said the bill is part of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda.
By proposing a prohibition, H.R. 10936 takes U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s MAHA effort to motivate the food industry to voluntarily phase out the use of synthetic food colorants from product formulations a step further.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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