Academy Statement on FDA's Plan to Phase Out Synthetic Dyes

April 23, 2025 – Harlivleen "Livleen" Gill, MBA, RDN, LDN, FAND, President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, issued the following statement in response to yesterday's announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the national food supply.

"Efforts to strengthen America’s food supply and protect public health are critically important. The FDA's recently announced plan to phase out certain artificial food dyes reflects ongoing concerns about ingredients and additives in the products we consume.

We appreciate that FDA and HHS are signaling a broader commitment to healthy eating and urge continued progress toward policies that reflect the full scope of nutrition and public health. While we support thoughtful evaluation of such ingredients, including their safety and necessity, and particularly in foods targeted toward children, it is essential that any regulatory action be based on robust, peer-reviewed evidence and grounded in the broader dietary context.

We also encourage a more comprehensive approach that prioritizes nutrient-dense, whole foods while addressing the root causes of poor nutrition: limited access, food insecurity, lack of nutrition education, and barriers to healthy choices.

Banning specific additives like artificial dyes can be part of that solution, but these actions must run parallel to broader, evidence-based strategies that promote long-term health equity and improve overall dietary patterns.

We believe meaningful progress comes from collaboration between policymakers, public health leaders, and registered dietitian nutritionists. It is only through working together that we will be able to advance a food system that is safe, accessible, and supports the health of all Americans."

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About the Academy
Representing more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.