The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced actions Tuesday to phase out the use of petroleum-based food dyes in U.S. food products, citing concerns over potential health impacts on children.

FDA Commissioner Martin Makary in remarks Tuesday pointed to studies that linked petroleum-based dyes to ADHD, obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance and cancer. He announced the FDA would be initiating a plan to revoke the authorization of the synthetic food colorings Citrus Red 2 and Orange B.

Citrus Red is only approved for use in coloring orange peels, and Orange B is only approved for use in hot dog and sausage casings.

Additionally, Makary said the FDA would take steps to remove other synthetic dyes off the market including Red Dye 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2 and Green No. 3 by the end of 2026.

"America's children are sick and suffering. Forty-one percent of children have at least have at least one health condition, and 1 in 5 are on medication," Makary said. "The answer is not more Ozempic, more ADHD medication and more antidepressants. There's a role for those medications, but we have to look at underlying root causes."

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. commended food companies for working with the government on what he........

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