The agency cited the Delaney Clause and industry abandonment in its decisions to revoke the authorizations for specific uses of methylene chloride, ethylene dichloride, and trichloroethylene as color additives or in the production of color additives.
Proposed by Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC), the prohibition would apply to color additives subject to FDA certification and certified color additive lakes. Color additives exempt from FDA certification, including many naturally derived colors, would not be affected.
The commitment aligns with FDA’s and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to facilitate an industry-led, voluntary phase-out of synthetic FD&C-certified food dyes from the U.S. food supply.
Aligning with the agency’s priority of supporting agency in phasing out synthetic colorants from the food supply, the petitions seek expanded or new uses for gardenia (genipin) blue, safflower extract, and acetone-extracted carrot oil.
Sprinkles may seem like a minor decorative detail on a birthday cake or holiday cookie, but they sit at the intersection of several fast-moving regulatory concerns: the phaseout of certain FD&C dyes, the clean label movement, allergen management, and GMO transparency.
The action aligns with the wishes of FDA and U.S. Health Secretary RFK Jr. for industry to voluntarily phase out synthetic, petroleum-based dyes from the nation’s food supply.
This episode of Food Safety Five discusses new research linking sorbitol to fatty liver disease, studies suggesting potential health risks associated with both “natural” and artificial color additives, and a major collection of papers examining the health impacts, policy, and marketing practices behind ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
A series of first-of-their-kind, large-scale epidemiological studies have suggested associations between food dyes—both “natural” and artificial—and preservatives, and an increased risk of chronic health conditions like cancer, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
The delays give the agency time to respond to comments made on the final orders approving beetroot red and spirulina extract for use as color additives in human foods. However, FDA stands by its determinations that the colorants are safe for their intended uses.
