Critics warn FDA's relaxed dye labeling rules could mislead consumers
By isabelle // 2026-02-10
Copy
 
  • FDA allows products with natural dyes to claim "no artificial colors."
  • The change supports a push to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes.
  • Critics argue the policy relies on voluntary industry action without mandates.
  • The FDA notes natural dyes must still meet safety and purity standards.
  • The shift increases the need for consumers to scrutinize ingredient lists.
In a move that has ignited both praise and skepticism, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has effectively rewritten the rulebook on food labeling, allowing products with added natural dyes to wear the coveted "no artificial colors" badge. This significant policy shift is a cornerstone of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s push to purge petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the food supply. While framed as progress toward cleaner eating, the change raises critical questions about regulatory accountability and whether it truly serves consumer clarity or corporate convenience. For decades, the term "no artificial colors" meant exactly what it sounded like: a product contained no added colorants of any kind. Under the new FDA guidance, that phrase can now appear on packages containing dyes derived from natural sources like beets, algae, and flowers, as long as they are not petroleum-based. "This is real progress," Kennedy said. "We are making it easier for companies to move away from petroleum-based synthetic colors and adopt safer, naturally derived alternatives." The FDA argues this change removes a regulatory obstacle. "We acknowledge that calling colors derived from natural sources ‘artificial’ might be confusing for consumers and a hindrance for companies to explore alternative food coloring options," said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. "We’re taking away that hindrance." The agency simultaneously approved beetroot red and expanded uses for spirulina extract, adding to a list of newly sanctioned natural colors that includes galdieria extract blue and butterfly pea flower extract.

A closer look at the labels

This regulatory relaxation is part of a broader administration agenda titled "Make America Healthy Again," which targets the phase-out of synthetic dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5. These dyes have been linked in studies to potential health risks, including hyperactivity in children. Major companies, including PepsiCo and Tyson Foods, report transitioning products away from petroleum-based dyes, with an FDA tracking site monitoring the voluntary phase-out. However, the celebratory tone from officials is met with sharp criticism from public health watchdogs. The change relies on industry compliance rather than enforceable mandates, a point critics highlight as a major flaw. Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group, called the move "another broken promise." He stated the FDA "pledged outright bans on dangerous food chemical additives. Instead Kennedy settles for handshake deals with Big Food and chemical companies — agreements with no real accountability."

Are natural dyes inherently safer?

The fundamental question for consumers is whether "natural" automatically means "safe." The FDA’s update does not guarantee this. The agency issued a letter reminding manufacturers that all color additives must meet purity standards and that they must "take all possible measures to ensure the safety" of their dyes, including limiting heavy metals and microbial contaminants. As toxicologist Joe Zagorski notes, "Everything can be safe or toxic in the right amount; this is true for human-made or natural chemicals." Nutrition experts point out that natural dyes can present their own challenges. "Natural dyes do not necessarily mean ‘inherently safer,’" said registered dietitian Madeline Peck. In fact, sometimes more natural dye is required to account for its faster degradation, which could raise questions about increased exposure to other compounds. Furthermore, a product swapping a synthetic dye for a natural one remains, in many cases, an ultra-processed food. Zagorski cautions, "A product that was low in nutritional density before alterations to the source of the food dye will continue to be low in nutritional density." The new policy ultimately places a greater burden on the consumer. Shoppers must now look beyond the front-of-package "no artificial colors" claim and scrutinize the ingredient list for additions like beetroot red or spirulina extract. This demands a new level of vigilance from those seeking to understand exactly what is in their food. This FDA action represents a cultural pivot, reflecting growing public demand for cleaner ingredients. Yet it also embodies a regulatory approach favoring voluntary industry action and labeling flexibility over strict prohibition. The journey to remove questionable additives from the food supply is underway, but the path is paved with compromises. The true test will be whether this new era of labeling fosters genuine transparency or simply creates a more sophisticated form of marketing, leaving consumers to decipher the fine print in an increasingly confusing grocery landscape. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org EverydayHealth.com APNews.com FoxNews.com
Copy