Will kids who love color-popping cereals, blazing red/orange chips and neon blue sports drinks consume those foods if they are a bit less … flashy? Yes, moms and dads everywhere say, especially if it means healthier foods for children.
Healthier Foods for Your Children
Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a comprehensive plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the American food supply. On Friday, May 9, the FDA approved color additives from nature sources.
For many parents who’ve spent years navigating ingredient lists and worrying about what’s really in their kids’ favorite snacks, this long-awaited move feels like a long-overdue validation — and a hopeful turning point. The three approved natural color additives are Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract and calcium phosphate.
FUTURE OF FROOT LOOPS: Froot Loops (Canadian) on the left. This version uses natural colors like annatto, turmeric and concentrated juices to color the loops. Froot Loops currently is the US which relies on artificial food dyes.
Why This Matters to Families
For decades, synthetic dyes like Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Blue No. 1 have been added to a wide range of foods — from cereals and candies to juices and baked goods. The eye-catching bright colors offer no nutritional value and have increasingly been linked to health concerns, especially in children. Studies and anecdotal reports alike have pointed to possible effects on behavior, attention, and even long-term development.
While many families may not have realized what these additives were made from — or how prevalent they were in everyday foods — they’ve done their best with the information available. This new policy acknowledges that parents deserve clarity, honesty, and support when it comes to feeding their children.
As HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. put it, “That era is coming to an end.”
What’s Changing — and When
Key changes include:
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Immediate action to revoke authorization for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B.
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A phased removal of six other widely used dyes, including Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, by the end of next year.
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Accelerated approval for natural alternatives, such as butterfly pea flower extract and gardenia blue.
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An earlier phase-out of Red No. 3, often found in candies and baked goods.
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Collaborative research with the National Institutes of Health to better understand how food additives may impact children’s health.
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Where Science and Parental Intuition Meet
Parents have long voiced concerns about how synthetic dyes might affect their kids — whether it’s changes in behavior after a snack or sensitivities that seem hard to explain. For years, those concerns were easy to dismiss or downplay. Now, the science is catching up, and so is policy. As FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said, “Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents … we should not be taking risks.”
While other countries — including many in Europe and Canada — have already taken steps to restrict or eliminate synthetic dyes, U.S. families have waited for similar protections. This change helps close that gap and affirms what so many parents have felt in their gut for years: our kids deserve better.
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What You Can Do Right Now
Even as these changes begin rolling out, here are some practical steps families can take today:
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Check labels: Look for ingredients like “FD&C Red No. 40” or “Yellow No. 5.”
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Choose naturally colored foods: Many brands now offer dye-free options using ingredients like beets, turmeric, or spirulina.
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Support transparency: Shop with companies that clearly label and prioritize clean ingredients.
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Talk with your kids: Use this as an opportunity to start age-appropriate conversations about food, health, and how we care for our bodies.
Hello Healthier Foods: Looking Ahead With Hope
This shift reflects a growing recognition that children’s health must come first. Because every child deserves food that supports their body, mind, and future — and every parent deserves to feel confident in the choices they’re making.
