Ban Harmful Food Dyes Act

The Ban Harmful Food Dyes Act would change U.S. law to treat certain food color additives as unsafe starting January 1, 2027, and to deem any food containing them adulterated. Specifically, the bill defines a “covered color additive” list (including Red Nos. 40 and 3, Yellow Nos. 5 and 6, Blue Nos. 1 and 2, Green No. 3, Orange B, Citrus Red 2, Red No. 3, Titanium Dioxide, and any substantially similar additive) and says that, beginning in 2027, such additives are unsafe for use in or on food. Foods containing these additives would be adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The bill’s language also makes clear that this status applies notwithstanding any current listing, certification, or exemption under FDA’s color additive certification (section 721) and would extend to additives that are substantially similar to those listed. In short, the bill would push a broad list of synthetic and similar color additives toward prohibition in foods by a set deadline, with enforcement through the FD&C Act’s adulteration provisions. Sponsor and status: Introduced in the House by Ms. Meng on August 1, 2025 and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.