Key Update

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to eliminate Orange B, a synthetic food dye that the food industry has not used for decades. The agency announced Wednesday that it will repeal the 1966 regulation allowing the dye in sausage casings and frankfurters. FDA officials confirmed that no batches of Orange B have been certified or requested since 1978. “Industry abandoned its use,” the agency said, calling the regulation outdated and unnecessary.

Consumer advocates, who have long pushed for stricter oversight of food dyes and additives, criticised the move as largely symbolic. “The FDA acts only where it won’t impact industry,” said Sarah Sorscher, director of regulatory affairs at the Centre for Science in the Public Interest.

Context: Other Dye Restrictions

The FDA’s Orange B proposal follows its January ban on Red No. 3, citing potential cancer risks. Red No. 3 has appeared widely in candies, snacks, and medicines. Separately, the Trump administration successfully encouraged major food manufacturers to voluntarily remove artificial dyes from cereals, yoghurts, and sodas. After a brief public comment period, the FDA plans to implement the Orange B repeal within 45 days.

Health Concerns and Reviews

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary have pledged to phase out petroleum-based dyes from the food supply to protect children’s health. Research shows mixed results, with some studies linking food dyes to hyperactivity and attention issues in children. The FDA maintains that approved dyes are safe and asserts that “most children experience no adverse effects when consuming foods containing colour additives.”

The FDA currently reviews six commonly used dyes—Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, and Blue No. 2. Another approved dye, Citrus Red No. 2, appears rarely in small amounts on the skin of certain citrus fruits.

Source: Livemint