Transcript

[Music]

Welcome to Food Safety in Minute.

What do cereals, snack foods, candy, olives, soda and even some yogurts have in common? Many contain petroleum-based synthetic food dyes. On April 22nd, the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration announced plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes.

Food processors are working with Federal agencies to re-formulate food products with natural alternatives. The alternatives include calcium phosphate used in ready-to-eat chicken products, white candy melts, and sugar on coated candies. Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, and butterfly pea flower may be approved for use, soon.

In the future, look for the establishment of national standards with a timeline, as well as authorization of new natural color additives.

Thanks for listening, I’m Susie Craig from Washington State University Extension.

[Music]

Resources

Federal Register: Daily Journal of the United States Government. Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification’ Calcium Phosphate. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/05/12/2025-08249/listing-of-color-additives-exempt-from-certification-calcium-phosphate. Accessed online 5/19/25.

Food Safety Tech. 4/23/25. HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Foods. https://foodsafetytech.com/news_article/hhs-fda-to-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-in-foods/. Accessed online 5/18/25.