(NEXSTAR) – U.S. health officials announced this week they plan to phase out several types of artificial, petroleum-based dyes used as food coloring in countless snacks, drinks and desserts that line our grocery shelves.

The officials, including Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., mainly cite kids' health as the reason for the move. Mixed studies indicate the synthetic dyes can cause neurobehavioral problems, including hyperactivity and attention issues, in some children. However, the FDA has maintained that the dyes currently found in U.S. foods are safe and that “the totality of scientific evidence shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives.”

The types of food coloring the FDA wants to eliminate by the end of 2026 are:

• FD&C Red No. 40 (or Red 40)
• FD&C Green No. 3 (or Green 3)
• FD&C Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 (or Yellow 5 and 6)
• FD&C Blue No. 1 and Blue No. 2 (or Blue 1 and 2)

The FDA also said its starting the process of revoking authorization of two more synthetic dyes – Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B – and wants to move up the deadline for banning Red 3, a move that was already in the works.