Right now, Americans may be wondering about changes at the FDA. There have been staff cuts, and changes have been announced in food safety programs as a result, raising legitimate concerns about the outcomes of those changes.
One proposed change, though, has the potential to make a significant positive difference for the health of children across the country.
The plan is to phase out several food dyes over the course of two years. If it goes through as proposed, it could lead to long-term improvements in the nation’s health, particularly among children.
Which Artificial Dyes Are On The List?
There is already a requirement in place for food companies to discontinue using the dye known as Red #3 by January 2027, and for the same dye to be removed from ingested drugs (it is currently in some cough syrups, vitamins, and other products) by January 2028.
The new proposal is to establish a specific schedule soon, but the rough outline so far would require removing Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B “within the coming months.”
Then, it would press for the removal of six more dyes — Green #3, Red #40, Yellow #5, Blue #1, and Blue #2 — by the end of 2016.
The FDA also proposes to request that companies remove the aforementioned Red #3 ahead of the current schedule.
At the same time, the FDA proposes to approve several new, naturally derived food dyes and to collaborate with the NIH to study the effects of the dyes being removed.
What Are The Potential Drawbacks?
There are some potential negatives to this proposal, although the overall effect may be extremely positive.
The simplest concern is the possibility that these new dyes, as well as any infrastructure changes required for companies to make the shift, could make some of your favorite foods more expensive. An extra dollar per box of cereal is cheaper in the long run than the potential health concerns associated with artificial dyes, but it may be hard to notice that difference at the cash register.
It is also unclear what level of enforcement is intended.
The plan to remove Red #3 specifically promised to revoke approval of the dye, meaning that companies would have to stop using it to have their products approved by the FDA. The new proposal employs more casual language, such as “initiating the process to revoke authorization” for the first two dyes, “working with the industry” for the other six, and “requesting” the earlier removal of Red #3.
That doesn’t mean they won’t be removed, but it does mean that at this moment in time, we don’t know much about how thoroughly the removal will be enforced, especially with the aforementioned staff cuts at the FDA.
Why These Dyes?
Some of these dyes are already banned in certain states.
California, for instance, has already banned Red #3 and has banned five of the dyes on the new list from school foods: Yellow #5, Red #40, Blue #1, Blue #2, and Green #3.
According to Environmental World News, this is because they’re linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD.
Several other states have introduced legislation that would ban Red #3 from being used in school foods.
More than a decade ago, a paper in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Health covered the potential dangers of these dyes (as well as a few that aren’t on the list).
“Red 3 causes cancer in animals, and there is evidence that several other dyes also are carcinogenic. Three dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6) have been found to be contaminated with benzidine or other carcinogens. At least four dyes (Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6) cause hypersensitivity reactions. Numerous microbiological and rodent studies of Yellow 5 were positive for genotoxicity. Toxicity tests on two dyes (Citrus Red 2 and Orange B) also suggest safety concerns, but Citrus Red 2 is used at low levels and only on some Florida oranges and Orange B has not been used for several years.”
What Should Parents Watch For Now?
It is essential to note that none of this is being enforced immediately. Revocation of authorization for these additives is occurring gradually over the next few years, and it is unclear whether an enforced ban on all of them will be implemented.
That means you should still check the ingredients in the foods you buy and make your own choices about which dyes to avoid.
We must also continue to listen for changes. Watch for companies to announce that they’re removing these dyes ahead of schedule, and watch for the FDA to release a more specific timeline for removal, as well as for the official revocations of approval.
We should also be on the lookout for the results of the proposed studies on the dyes as they’re phased out.
Most excitingly, we can watch for positive health changes in our families and communities as these dyes are exchanged for safer options.