Is 2025's dye phase-out a law or promise, and which foods does it cover?

"Furthermore, effective in 2027, the Food and Drug Administration banned the use of Red 3 in food and beverages"

"and California passed a ban on the use of synthetic food colorants in school lunches."

"such as the FDA ban on Red 3 and the California School Food Safety Act’s prohibition on the use of synthetic food colors in school lunches after December 31, 2027"

"The Color segment produces natural and synthetic color systems for foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals; colors, ingredients, and systems for personal care; and technical colors for industrial applications."

"Texas passed SB 25, requiring a warning label on products that contain synthetic dyes and certain other additives effective January 1, 2027"

"West Virginia passed HB 2354 that prohibits sale of foods with FD&C colors after January 1, 2028"

"In the U.S., and selectively throughout Latin America, our synthetic colors revenue for the food and pharmaceutical market is approximately $110M"

"Some major consumer packaged food companies have made the decision to proactively announce their intention to fully convert by 2027"

"112 Total color-related bills in 2025 58 Active bills that affect food color 6 Active bills prohibiting additives including FD&C dyes in a state"

"The FDA is maintaining a tracker highlighting companies in the food and beverage industry that "are stepping up and reformulating their products with alternative colors derived from natural sources and setting ambitious timelines to complete the transition.""

"Red 3 Ban U.S. Federal BanJanuary 2027"

"First SchoolLunch Ban West VirginiaAugust 2025"

"First state-wide synthetic color ban West VirginiaJanuary 2028"

"State-wide warning labels for colors TexasJanuary 2027"

"One important caveat: the six-dye phase-out is voluntary. The FDA described it as an "understanding" with food companies, not a binding regulatory order."

"FDA revoked Red 3 food authorization in January 2025 with a January 15, 2027 reformulation deadline."

"The biggest recent shift came from the United States: in April 2025, the FDA announced plans to phase Red 40 and five other petroleum-based synthetic dyes out of the American food supply by the end of 2026."

"on April 22, 2025 , the FDA and HHS issued a joint press announcement declaring their intent to eliminate six petroleum-based synthetic food dyes -- including Red 40 -- from the U.S. food supply by the end of 2026."

"It separately asked industry, in April 2025, to stop using six remaining petroleum-based dyes, a voluntary request rather than a ban; reported targets range from the end of 2026 to the end of 2027 depending on the source."

"Then, on April 22, 2025, the FDA announced a far broader initiative: working with industry to eliminate all six remaining petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the food supply, including Red 40, by the end of 2026."

"Working with industry to eliminate six certified color additives by end of 2026:"

"Red 3 food use is revoked; the other six petroleum dyes remain a voluntary FDA request, not a federal ban"

"Red 3 was formally revoked. Red 40’s phase-out, by contrast, is a voluntary industry-driven process backed by FDA pressure rather than a regulatory revocation."

"Companies should plan for removal but understand that the current federal action is guidance-based, not a legal mandate with a fixed compliance date."

"Formally revoking authorization for two smaller-use dyes, Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, through regulatory rulemaking."

"California AB 2316 is the binding school-food deadline for those six (Dec 31, 2027, K-12 public schools)."

"The distinction matters: if the voluntary timeline slips, Red 40 would remain technically legal in a way Red 3 will not be after January 2027."

"Products containing Red No. 3 will be legally adulterated after January 15, 2027 (food) and January 18, 2028 (drugs)."

"The FDA has not revoked Red 40's authorization."

"The FDA’s April 2025 phase-out announcement targeted the food supply specifically, so Red 40 in lipstick, cough syrup, and vitamin gummies could remain on shelves well after it disappears from cereal boxes."

"The FDA initiated revocation proceedings for Citrus Red No. 2 (21 CFR 74.302) and Orange B (21 CFR 74.250), both of which have minimal commercial use."

"the federal government’s goal of eliminating artificial dyes from foods and drinks such as breakfast cereals, candy, and sodas."