One year ago, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that food and drug companies should voluntarily end the use of artificial dyes in their products. But progress has been slow and inadequate. Many of the largest food manufacturers haven’t made meaningful commitments—and drug companies haven’t committed at all.
Americans are clear: we don’t want potentially harmful dyes in our food and medicine. We shouldn’t have to check every label to avoid these chemicals—especially when safer alternatives already exist and are used in other countries. Voluntary action isn’t enough, we need enforceable rules. Take action now and tell the FDA it’s time for a mandatory ban on artificial dyes in our food and drugs.
Message to the FDA
The Food and Drug Administration should take immediate action to ban synthetic dyes in food and medications. Despite urging manufacturers to commit to voluntary phase-outs of these dyes, your agency has not implemented enforceable regulations, leaving consumers exposed to unnecessary health and safety risks. Voluntary commitments from industry have been inconsistent, with many major food companies failing to act, and no pharmaceutical companies committing to remove these dyes from medications.
A mandatory ban is both necessary and achievable. Strong public support exists for requiring companies to eliminate synthetic dyes, and many manufacturers have quit using these dyes in other countries, demonstrating that reformulation is feasible. The FDA should use its authority to protect public health—particularly for children, who are disproportionately exposed to dyes in their food, drink and medicines. We urge you to move beyond this failed voluntary guidance, and establish enforceable rules to eliminate synthetic dyes from the nation’s food and drug supply.