FDA Food Dye Phase-Out Tracker
The FDA is phasing out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from the US food supply. FDA revoked Red 3's food authorization in January 2025, effective January 15, 2027; it is working with industry to remove six remaining petroleum-based dyes by the end of 2027.
Dye Status
| Dye | Status | Comply by | Set by | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red 3 FDA revoked the color-additive authorization on Jan 15, 2025 under the Delaney Clause. Food makers have until Jan 15, 2027 to reformulate; ingested drugs until Jan 18, 2028. | Revoked | Jan 15, 2027 | FDA final order (Delaney Clause) | 4,654 |
| Red 40 The most widely used synthetic dye, found in candy, cereal and beverages. Banned from food served in California public schools from Dec 31, 2027. There is no federal ban on this dye. | Phase-out | Dec 31, 2027 | California AB 2316 (public schools) | 22,216 |
| Yellow 5 Also known as Tartrazine; used in snacks, beverages and cereals. Banned from food served in California public schools from Dec 31, 2027. There is no federal ban on this dye. | Phase-out | Dec 31, 2027 | California AB 2316 (public schools) | 19,566 |
| Yellow 6 Also known as Sunset Yellow; common in baked goods and candy. Banned from food served in California public schools from Dec 31, 2027. There is no federal ban on this dye. | Phase-out | Dec 31, 2027 | California AB 2316 (public schools) | 13,787 |
| Blue 1 Also known as Brilliant Blue; used in beverages, candy and baked goods. Banned from food served in California public schools from Dec 31, 2027. There is no federal ban on this dye. | Phase-out | Dec 31, 2027 | California AB 2316 (public schools) | 17,024 |
| Blue 2 Also known as Indigo Carmine; less common, used in candy and ice cream. Banned from food served in California public schools from Dec 31, 2027. There is no federal ban on this dye. | Phase-out | Dec 31, 2027 | California AB 2316 (public schools) | 3,627 |
| Green 3 Also known as Fast Green FCF; the least common of the major dyes. Banned from food served in California public schools from Dec 31, 2027. There is no federal ban on this dye. | Phase-out | Dec 31, 2027 | California AB 2316 (public schools) | 135 |
Deadlines are the dates products must COMPLY by, not the dates rules were announced. Sources: FDA, FD&C Red No. 3 color-additive revocation (Jan 15, 2025 final order); California AB 2316, California School Food Safety Act.
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Company Pledges
We removed our per-company pledge table on July 31, 2026. It listed pledge and target dates we could not trace to a source, and at least one entry conflicted with the independent record: our table showed a Mars commitment, while CSPI's tracker lists Mars as having no plan. Rather than publish company commitments we cannot stand behind, we point you to the two organisations that track them directly.
- FDA, Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum-Based Food Dyes
- CSPI, Synthetic Dyes Corporate Commitment Tracker
What stays on this page is measured from our own index: how many products currently carry each dye. That is the part we can show our working for.
Timeline
Data Sources
Regulatory data from FDA food additive status records and Federal Register notices. Product counts from OpenFoodFacts (ODbL). See our methodology for details.
Use a dye record, not a headline
Choose a named dye or product to inspect next; the tracker records source-linked status and label coverage, not a personal dietary recommendation.
- Open a dye ingredient to see its stored source context and the products in this catalogue that list it. Browse dye ingredients
- Search a package by barcode or name to check its stored label fields rather than inferring from the overall count. Check a product label
- Read the regulation tracker for the action type, jurisdiction, and effective date behind a deadline. Review regulation records
Deadlines and source statuses apply only as recorded by the cited authority and may change. This tracker does not establish whether any specific product is recalled, compliant, or suitable for an individual.