Donald Trump’s administration has made a high-profile announcement that could dramatically change the composition of food in the US: by the end of 2026, all currently permitted artificial food colours made from petroleum products will be banned. This was announced on Tuesday by the newly appointed director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Marty Makari, AFP reports.
The ban will cover eight synthetic dyes that are widely used in sweets, drinks, sauces and even children’s breakfasts. Among them are the well-known Red 40 (E129), Yellow 5 (E102) and Yellow 6 (E110), which are blamed for causing hyperactivity, diabetes and cancer, according to studies cited by Makari.
“For half a century, American children have been growing up in an atmosphere of chemical attack on their bodies,” said the FDA chief, adding that the new policy is aimed at clearing the food market of toxic ingredients.
This move is not only supported by academics, but also finds a rare consensus among Republicans and Democrats, which is atypical for the current American political climate.
The ban complements the previous decision of the Biden administration, which in January already banned the carcinogenic dye Red 3 (E127). This is the first attempt in US history to completely eliminate petrochemical dyes from the food industry.
“They have no nutritional value, they just create a deceptive brightness to sell products that are really no different,” explained Peter Lurie, head of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which has been fighting for this reform for years.
Artificial colours were found in thousands of products, especially those aimed at children, which only increased public concern.
It is expected that the US food industry will be forced to switch to natural dyes or completely abandon the visual “enhancement” of goods. At the same time, experts believe that European standards, which are already much stricter, could become a model for the new US food safety policy.
